CARDIFF, Wales — Wales has suffered the loss of scrumhalf Tomos Williams due to injury and has implemented four changes to its struggling lineup ahead of the rugby test match against Australia this Sunday in Cardiff.

Ellis Bevan has been elevated to the starting scrumhalf position, taking the place of Williams. Additionally, Tom Rogers has joined the team on the wing, stepping in for Mason Grady, who was sidelined after sustaining an injury early in last weekend’s 24-19 defeat against Fiji.

In other modifications, back-row forwards James Botham, the grandson of renowned cricketer Ian Botham, and Jac Morgan have been included in the squad, representing the remaining two adjustments from the match against Fiji.

Australia kicked off the November test series with a close 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham, showcasing their competitive edge. Wales is currently facing a challenging period, having suffered 10 consecutive losses, which matches their record low from 2002-03. With the world champion South Africa ahead after the encounter with the Wallabies, there’s a looming threat that Wales could enter 2024 without any wins.

“Our reviews following last week’s match have been candid,” stated coach Warren Gatland. “There were aspects of our play that we performed well, which we want to build upon. However, we must improve our accuracy and discipline, particularly during critical moments in the game.

“We anticipate an Australian team that is on a high following their win over England. They’ve shown considerable improvement since the summer and have been active in test matches since our last encounter. We recognize the need to deliver a complete performance over the full 80 minutes on Sunday.”