Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Wales vs Fiji: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, team news, lineups, venue, odds today

The Rugby World Cup opening weekend culminates with a clash between Fiji and Wales tonight.

Warren Gatland’s side have been through an intense 15-week period of training camps to put a difficult year for Welsh rugby behind them at this autumn’s tournament in France.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW WALES VS FIJI LIVE!

Fiji, however, will be confident after they beat England for the first time ever at Twickenham last month.

They certainly have the tools to hurt a Wales team who remain unconvincing.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Wales vs Fiji is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off time today, Sunday September 10, 2023.

The Stade de Bordeaux will host the match.

Where to watch Wales vs Fiji

TV channel: In the UK, Sunday night’s game will be broadcast live on free-to-air channels ITV1 and on S4C in the Welsh language.

Live stream: ITVX and S4C Online will offer a live stream service online.

Live blog: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated live match blog.

Wales vs Fiji team news

Taulupe Faletau is fit to feature for Wales despite missing all three warm-up games last month with a calf problem, while Jac Morgan will captain the side.

Dewi Lake is not included due to a lack of training time, though George North makes his 17th appearance at the Rugby World Cup in midfield alongside Nick Tompkins.

Fiji, meanwhile, were dealt a huge blow on the eve of the tournament after Caleb Muntz suffered a knee injury and was duly forced to pull out of the squad.

Taulupe Faletau is fit after a calf problem (PA)

Wales vs Fiji lineups

Wales XV: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Wainwright, Morgan (c), Faletau.

Replacements: Dee, Domachowski, Lewis, D Jenkins, Reffell, T Williams, Costelow, Dyer

Fiji XV: Droasese; Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (c), Radradra, Habosi; Tela, Lomani; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi; Nasilsila, Cirikidaveta; Tuisue, Tagitagivalu, Mata

Replacements: Ikanivere, Ravai, Doge, Mayanavanua, Botia, Kurukvoli, Tuisova, Maqala

Wales vs Fiji prediction

There is a real feeling that Fiji can claim a big scalp to kick off their campaign in France but the loss of star man Muntz is a major blow.

Wales simply have to win and do have enough to edge it.

Wales to win, by over 5 points.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Fiji’s sole win over Wales to date came during the pool stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, also held in France. They have lost each of the last five meetings, however, including a 38-23 loss in Cardiff in November 2021.

Wales wins: 11

Fiji wins: 1

Draws: 1

Wales vs Fiji latest odds

Wales to win: 8/15

Fiji to win: 17/10

Draw: 17/1

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.