Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas confirmed fly-half Dan Biggar has recovered from a pectoral muscle pressure in time to face Argentina in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final; There’s additionally encouraging restoration information for Gareth Anscombe and Liam Williams
Final Up to date: 10/10/23 2:29pm
Dan Biggar was pressured off injured in Wales’ win over Australia
Dan Biggar might be match to function in Wales’ Rugby World Cup quarter-final conflict towards Argentina on Saturday.
The fly-half went off after simply 12 minutes of the document 40-6 win towards Australia throughout an unbeaten march by way of Pool C, struggling a pectoral muscle pressure.
Biggar was an unused alternative for the Georgia recreation final weekend, having been rushed onto the bench when Sam Costelow was summoned to begin as an alternative of an injured Gareth Anscombe.
However when requested if the 33-year-old was match to face the Pumas in Marseille, Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas mentioned: “Sure.”
There’s additionally encouraging information about Anscombe and full-back Liam Williams.
Anscombe withdrew 45 minutes earlier than kick-off towards Georgia as a result of a groin downside, whereas Williams was on crutches after taking a blow to his knee.
These points got here on prime of No 8 Taulupe Faletau breaking his arm and being dominated out of the event the rest.
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Ellie Roper previews England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final towards Fiji and James Cole experiences from Toulon forward of Wales v Argentina
“At this stage, it’s wanting Positive,” Thomas mentioned, of Anscombe and Williams. “Each day it would evolve. It’s in all probability not as dangerous as first feared.
“The crutches factor was to attempt to offload any stress. It doesn’t suggest he [Williams] has completed something extreme. He was jogging about at this time with the medics.
“I noticed him [Anscombe] jogging round on the pitch, together with Liam at this time. The primary 48 hours after you could have a knock is essential when it comes to assessing it. With each Liam and Gareth, it’s fairly Positive.
“That isn’t me committing to saying they’re undoubtedly going to be accessible. It’s an ongoing factor. They have been each working round at this time with the medics, and they’re going to attempt to progress that every day.”
Gareth Anscombe is making good progress in his restoration
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is because of title his beginning line-up on Thursday, with Aaron Wainwright anticipated to maneuver from blindside flanker as Faletau’s alternative.
That might then imply captain Jac Morgan sporting the quantity six shirt and Tommy Reffell beginning at openside, though Dan Lydiate and Christ Tshiunza may be back-row choices.
“There was undoubtedly a bit little bit of a cloud over the victory [against Georgia] due to what occurred to Taulupe,” Thomas mentioned.
“We now have been collectively for a very long time as a complete group, and also you construct relationships and also you develop into a bit bit like a household. When one in every of your brothers has to depart, it’s robust.
Taulupe Faletau’s World Cup was ended by a damaged arm
“It’s what it’s. You’ve got to take care of it and you have to maneuver on. That’s sport and the cruel actuality of it.”
Wales face Argentina for the primary time in a World Cup recreation since 1999, and they’re going to begin as favourites after gathering 19 factors from a potential 20 of their group.
Argentina, in distinction, misplaced to 14-man England and have been unconvincing towards Samoa, earlier than clinching qualification by beating Japan.
“For us as a collective, our purpose from day one has been to get to knockout rugby,” Thomas mentioned. “We now have achieved that, however we’re not glad with simply attending to the quarter-finals.
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Highlights from Argentina’s very important win over Samoa with Emiliano Boffelli scoring 16 factors to place them heading in the right direction for a quarter-final spot.
“Whenever you get to this stage, any workforce on their day can beat anybody. There are high quality groups and high quality gamers within the final eight.
“I believed they [Argentina] regarded extra cohesive of their final recreation towards Japan when it comes to their assault.
“In the event you win your first recreation within the Six Nations, momentum is large, and it’s the similar with the World Cup. Each workforce at this stage will really feel assured and really feel they’ve momentum on their facet.”