Gatland has made a few changes to the Wales team that defeated Fiji in their last World Cup match. The only two players retained from that game are wing Louis Rees-Zammit and number eight Taulupe Faletau.
Co-captain Dewi Lake, who has recovered from a knee injury, will lead Wales against Portugal. Scrum-half Tomos Williams will earn his 50th cap, and players like centre Mason Grady and lock Christ Tshiunza will make their first World Cup starts.
Lake will be joined by Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis in the front row, while Tshiunza will partner with Dafydd Jenkins in the lock positions. Fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who is back from injury, will also be on the team. Grady will team up with Johnny Williams in the midfield, and Leigh Halfpenny will win his 101st cap at full-back. Veteran flanker Dan Lydiate will also feature in the match.
Prop Henry Thomas is the only player in Wales’ World Cup squad who has not started or been named on the bench in the first two games.
Wales’ bonus-point victory over Fiji has given them confidence heading into their match against Portugal, the underdogs of Pool C. Although Portugal’s World Cup appearance is their first since 2007, their pre-tournament form has been decent, including a 46-20 win over the United States.
Gatland stated that they have made changes to the team due to a six-day turnaround. He sees this match as an opportunity for the players to showcase their abilities and make their mark in the tournament. The team has analyzed the areas that need improvement based on the previous game and has a clear plan for the match against Portugal.
Gatland acknowledges that Portugal is a skillful side and expects them to come out strong in their first World Cup match. Wales is excited to take the field and execute their game plan against them.
Here is the Wales team to play Portugal:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Unattached)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester)
13. Mason Grady (Cardiff)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets)
11. Ryan Dyer (Dragons)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Suntory Sungoliath)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys, captain)
3. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins)
4. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter)
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons)
7. Taine Reffell (Leicester)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff)
18. Tomas Francis (Provence)
19. Adam Beard (Ospreys)
20. Taine Basham (Dragons)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets)
23. Josh Adams (Cardiff).
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