Wales shrug off injury worries as Biggar, Davies and North return to face France

TOKYO, 18 Oct - Wales coach Warren Gatland has named the same starting XV that beat Australia for Sunday's quarter-final against France in Oita.

Wales receive a triple injury boost with Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies and George North all passed fit for the last-eight encounter.

Fly-half Biggar suffered a head injury when colliding with team-mate Liam Williams in the 29-17 victory over Fiji last Wednesday but has come through head injury protocols to face the French.

Centre Davies left the field with a knee injury in the same match, while winger North has been suffering from a sore ankle.

There are two changes on the bench from the Australia match, prop Rhys Carre replacing Nicky Smith and Adam Beard offering second-row backup in place of flanker Aaron Shingler.

Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies and George North all started the 9-8 defeat by France in the semi-final of Rugby World Cup 2011. Wales assistant coach Stephen Jones also played in that match. 

Captain Jones will play his 141st test match for Wales and the British & Irish Lions to equal Brian O'Driscoll's tally. Only Richie McCaw (148) and Sergio Parisse (142) have played more test matches.

He will also break Gethin Jenkins' record for Rugby World Cup appearances when he plays his 19th RWC game on Sunday.

Wales

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tom Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt.)
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Josh Navidi
9. Gareth Davies
10. Dan Biggar
11. Josh Adams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Liam Williams

16. Elliot Dee
17. Rhys Carre
18. Dillon Lewis
19. Adam Beard
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Tomos Williams
22. Rhys Patchell
23. Owen Watkin

RNS cp/rl