| Venue: Stade de Good, Good Date: Saturday, 16 Sept Kick-off: 16:45 BST |
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Wales lock Will Rowlands says he doesn’t anticipate plaudits following his heroic defensive efficiency within the opening World Cup win towards Fiji.
Rowlands made 27 tackles with Wales finishing a World Cup report of 253.
“I at all times discover it a bit bizarre when the variety of tackles turns into the headline since you defend in a system,” mentioned Rowlands.
“Guys run at you and also you deal with them. It is good, folks say good issues – however I see it as doing my job for the workforce.”
Wales nearly surrendered an 18-point lead in Bordeaux following a ferocious Fiji fightback earlier than finally profitable 32-26, which signified a bonus-point victory.
Wales have now moved to Good the place they are going to face Portugal on Saturday.
“5 factors towards the Fijians is incredible for us,” mentioned Rowlands.
“We spoke about it once we reviewed it that we did a lot of issues we needed to do and within the durations we had been in management we constructed a pleasant little lead.
“There have been elements of the sport we have to have a look at and concentrate on, which allowed them again into the sport and set us up for a nervy end.
“We would gone into the World Cup feeling fairly assured – we might carried out some good work and we’re in place going into the video games bodily.
“It was an enormous first sport for us to play Fiji. They’re a harmful workforce. To get a win is incredible and now we concentrate on the following sport with Portugal this weekend and we’ll try to do the identical once more.
“It was a tricky sport bodily however we have recovered, nicely conditioned, so able to go once more this week.”
Rowlands has left Dragons and can hyperlink up with Racing Metro for the beginning of subsequent season.
The 31-year-old handed the 25-cap threshold through the World Cup warm-ups in August, which implies he’s eligible to play worldwide rugby regardless of taking part in his membership rugby exterior Wales.
“I’ve beloved the primary couple of weeks right here,” mentioned Rowlands.
“The joy across the World Cup all over the place you go in France is wonderful.
“There are a great deal of Welsh followers and French folks supporting us too. It has been a extremely wonderful expertise thus far and made me very excited to play a bit extra rugby in France within the subsequent few years.”
That is Rowlands’ first World Cup after making his Wales debut towards France in February 2020.
Rowlands was handed his worldwide call-up by Wayne Pivac, who was changed by Warren Gatland in December 2022.
“That is my first expertise of working with Gats and I feel that is undoubtedly one of many issues I’ve felt within the group, that there’s a huge confidence in his plan and the coaches normally,” mentioned Rowlands.
“It instils a confidence and perception within the group once we play at our greatest.”
Wales skilled on Tuesday with full-back Liam Williams and fly-half Dan Biggar beginning the session away from the primary group and being put by means of the paces, whereas lock Adam Beard was biking on the train bike on the touchline.
The aspect to face Portugal is called on Wednesday with assistant coach Jonathan Thomas admitting there can be modifications after the six-day turnaround from Fiji.
