Wales number 8 Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup with a broken arm.
More to follow.
Winger Louis Rees-Zammit scored a crucial second-half hat-trick as Wales beat Georgia 43-19 to finish top of Pool C at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
Tommy Reffell, the Mastercard Player of the Match admitted it had been a bruising encounter, saying: “I’m sore after that one. We knew what to expect with Georgia, they had that win against us at the Principality Stadium in the last year so we knew what they were going to bring with that physicality. We really had to up it today, scrum, maul. We also knew they could play out the back a lot better than what they showed. So they had threats all over the park and it was up to us to shut them down.”
Wales captain Dewi Lake said: “We spoke in the week about being quite ruthless. We dropped off a bit at the end of the first half and the start of the second half, Georgia came back at us. We spoke about them being a proud nation, they were never going to go away quietly.
“We picked it up in the final 20 and we scored some nice tries and played some nice rugby. We’ll definitely work on the middle 20 minutes, not having that drop-off in energy, when we’ve got a team on the ropes, to keep them there.”
The 30 best rugby players in the world have been ranked, Owen Farrell 29th
#30. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
A rising Irish hooker known for his powerful scrummaging and dynamic play in open field. Sheehan’s agility and tackling prowess make him a vital asset in set pieces and loose play alike, hinting at a promising future in international rugby
#29. Owen Farrell (England)
England’s steadfast captain and fly-half, Farrell’s tactical brilliance and accurate kicking guide his team’s gameplay. Renowned for his leadership, his defensive grit and ability to control the game’s pace make him a linchpin in England’s rugby strategy.
Wales Online wrote: “The 31-year-old has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently but is a player you’d rather play with than against. Farrell is a natural leader of men, and will play a crucial role if England are to drag themselves out of the rut they find themselves in.”
#28. Thibaud Flament (France)
A versatile lock for France, Flament’s towering presence in the lineout and ferocious work rate define his style. With his strong carrying and breakdown skills, he is a force to be reckoned with in both set-piece dominance and open-field encounters.
#27. Shannon Frizell (New Zealand)
Frizzell’s imposing physique and aggressive ball-carrying mark him as a formidable All Black flanker. His offloading ability, coupled with his defensive prowess, cements his position as a player who consistently makes his presence felt on the field.
#26. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)
An anchor of the Springboks’ scrum, Kitshoff’s experience and technical expertise are unmatched. His exceptional work rate and relentless tackling contribute to his reputation as a reliable front-row stalwart, key to South Africa’s forward dominance.