Justin Tipuric to start for Wales against Wallabies

George North plays in the centre alongside Jamie Roberts, in what is an exciting midfield pairing.

The front-row has been given an overhaul with the fit-again Paul James and Samson Lee brought in for Gethin Jenkins and Tomos Francis, while Luke Charteris returns at second row alongside Alun Wyn Jones, who makes his 99th Test appearance.

After watching England get taken to the cleaners by Australia at the breakdown, he has gone for the dual threat of Warburton and Tipuric, with a slightly injured Dan Lydiate missing out.

The Cardiff Blues utility back was called up along with the versatile James Hook after Scott Williams (knee) and wing Hallam Amos (shoulder) were ruled out of the tournament with injuries sustained in Wales‘ win over England at Twickenham. “We managed to give them a couple of days off after the Fiji game, so they come into this game a bit fresher”. We want to finish top of the pool and stamp our authority.

Australia have won their last 10 matches against Wales but all but three have been by seven points or less and the Welsh, not to mention their coach Warren Gatland, were pivotal in the British and Irish Lions triumph Down Under two years ago.

Tipuric’s promotion to the starting XV is no surprise, considering his outstanding form.

“It is two exciting back lines, and I said to our players there is an opportunity to go out there and see if we can look at a few opportunities that put Australia under pressure”.

What’s the reasoning behind the inclusion of two openside flankers from the start?

It was the loss which Michael Cheika so eloquently described as a boot to the backside that is driving his Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.

Although both teams are already through to the last-eight, the group winners would then face Scotland or Japan, while the runners-up tackle twice world champions South Africa.

“I am just happy to be on the park”, said North, who helped Wales get to the 2011 World Cup semi-finals.

New Zealand-born Anscombe will make his World Cup debut after overcoming the ankle injury that ruled him out of Wales’ initial squad. Gareth has played a lot at full-back, including in a Super Rugby final for the Chiefs. Gatland, meanwhile, has been able to select from a fully-fit squad.

‘I played 15 against the Waratahs and Folau climbed all over me on the high balls, ‘ said Anscombe.

“It’s horses for courses and probably the way the Australians with [David] Pocock – I know Hooper’s out – but it’s matching them at the breakdown”.

That defeat was the most recent in a run of 10 but Gatland insists that unlike the ghosts apparently wandering the rooms of their hotel, his players are not haunted by such a dismal record.

Forwards P James, S Baldwin, S Lee, L Charters, AW Jones, S Warburton, T Faletau, J Tipuric.