TOKYO, 30 Oct - Wales have lost four players through injury as Warren Gatland makes nine changes for his final match as head coach against New Zealand on Friday.

Prop Tomas Francis (shoulder), winger George North (hamstring), flanker Aaron Wainwright (hamstring) and full-back Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) will miss the bronze medal match at Tokyo Stadium.

The four all started the semi-final defeat to South Africa on Sunday but were not considered for selection as Gatland ends his 12-year reign.

Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis come into the starting side in the front-row to join hooker Ken Owens.

Adam Beard returns to the starting line-up to partner captain Alun Wyn Jones who will make his 143rd test appearance, including the British and Irish Lions, taking him outright second on the all-time list. Only New Zealand’s Richie McCaw, with 148, is ahead of him.

James Davies, pictured top, comes into the back-row as replacement for Wainwright alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.

Tomos Williams and Rhys Patchell form a new half-back partnership for Wales, while Owen Watkin features alongside Jonathan Davies in midfield.

Josh Adams, leading try-scorer at RWC 2019, remains in the back three and will have started all of Wales’s seven games.

Owen Lane comes in on the wing having been called up as a replacement last week  and Hallam Amos takes over at full-back with Halfpenny joining Liam Williams (ankle) on the injury list.

Wales

1. Nicky Smith
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Adam Beard
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt.)
6. Justin Tipuric
7. James Davies
8. Ross Moriarty
9. Tomos Williams
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Josh Adams
12. Owen Watkin
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Owen Lane
15. Hallam Amos

16. Elliot Dee
17. Rhys Carre
18. Wyn Jones
19. Jake Ball
20. Aaron Shingler
21. Gareth Davies
22. Dan Biggar
23. Hadleigh Parkes

RNS ig/sw