Wales coach Gatland rests big names for Uruguay opener

Warren Gatland has left out a number of star names for Wales' Rugby World Cup opener with Uruguay on Sunday.

Fly-half Dan Biggar, wing George North, prop Gethin Jenkins, back-rower Taulupe Faletau and centre Jamie Roberts have all been left out of a clash Wales will be expected to win comprehensively at the Millennium Stadium.

Alun Wyn Jones, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is also rested, but full-back Liam Williams and prop Samson Lee make their returns.

Williams is back from a foot problem, while Scarlets team-mate Lee is fit again after rupturing an Achilles tendon in the Six Nations.

"The squad are extremely excited to kick their Rugby World Cup campaign off on Sunday," Gatland said.

"Playing in a World Cup, in your home country, at your home ground is a great honour and I'm sure the players will take that into the game.

"Uruguay will be looking to show what they are capable of and we know we need to be clinical on Sunday.

"It is great to have Liam and Samson back in the starting line-up. They have trained incredibly hard and Sunday is a great opportunity for them.

"It's a great opportunity for all the players and it's an exciting time ahead."

Wales team in full: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Davies; Paul James, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, James King.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Tomas Francis, Dominic Day, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Lloyd Williams, Matthew Morgan.