Warren Gatland’s aspect nearly got here out on high in an opening weekend thriller against Fiji in Bordeaux on Sunday evening, surviving a surprising late fightback courtesy of Semi Radradra’s harrowing last-gasp drop to in some way escape with a bonus-point 32-26 victory that owed a lot to their dogged defensive efforts all through a contemporary match traditional.
While little question energy-sapping within the excessive, such a hard-fought win - which noticed fly-half Dan Biggar deliver a rollocking to team-mate George North - is prone to be essential within the race to achieve the quarter-finals from a bunch that additionally incorporates Australia, who picked up their first win of Eddie Jones’ second tenure a day earlier towards Georgia.
With respect to Portugal, this ought to be a very extra simple affair for Wales on the French Riviera than the intense problem posed by the Flying Fijians.
Coached since 2019 by former France wing Patrice Lagisquet, nicknamed the ‘Bayonne Express’, the Lobos - ranked sixteenth on the planet - had been the odd ones out in Pool C and didn't play on opening weekend so have had some time to arrange for this opening contest, having secured their spot on the worldwide stage once more with a 16-all draw with the USA within the essential final sport of the Final Qualification Tournament final November.
This is just Portugal’s second look on the World Cup and first since 2007, after they completed winless backside of a pool that contained the All Blacks, Scotland, Italy and Romania, transport 209 factors and scoring 38. Now they're again in France and desperate to make an impression after dispatching the USA throughout a warm-up marketing campaign that additionally included a defeat by a Wallabies ‘A’ staff.
Wales vs Portugal takes place on Saturday September 16, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 4:45pm BST.
The Stade de Nice will host the Pool C encounter.
TV channel: In the UK, Saturday’s showdown is to be proven dwell and free to air on ITV1, with protection beginning at 4pm.
Live stream: The ITV web site and ITVX app may even provide a free dwell stream service for followers on-line.
Gatland will certainly ring the adjustments this weekend after such a draining, intense traditional towards Fiji that can have left his first-choice XV spent.
With a probable pool decider arising towards Australia in Lyon on September 24, that is the sport wherein to relaxation gamers and guarantee they're totally recuperated for the challenges that lie forward.
Portugal, in the meantime, are boosted forward of their first World Cup match for 16 years by the return to health of 17-try Stade Francais wing Raffaele Storti after damage.
Both Gatland and Lagisquet are anticipated to announce their respective matchday squads on Thursday.
Taking cost of Saturday’s sport will likely be English referee Karl Dickson, assisted by Luke Pearce and Italy’s Andrea Piardi. The Television Match Official (TMO) is South Africa’s Marius Jonker.
Wales will likely be assured of a good-looking victory in Nice no matter their staff choice.
Hanging on to see off Fiji can have been a large confidence enhance for Gatland and Co after such a troublesome 2023 so far for Welsh rugby basically.
Portugal received’t lack coronary heart and dedication, however there's an apparent gulf at school and it will likely be very robust occurring their return to the largest stage.
Wales to win by 40 factors.
The solely earlier assembly between these two nations occurred all the way in which again in May of 1994 in Lisbon, when Wales needed to play a World Cup qualifier for 1995 after not reaching the 1991 quarter-finals.
They went over the century mark in a 102-11 demolition, scoring 16 tries together with 4 from present Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) interim CEO Nigel Walker. Neil Jenkins supplied 11 conversions on the day.
Wales wins: 1
Portugal wins: 0
Draws: 0
Wales to win: 1/100
Portugal to win: 50/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds through Betfair (topic to vary).
Please share by clicking this button!
Visit our site and see all other available articles!