Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, has rounded on the Millennium Stadium culprits responsible for booing fly-half Rhys Priestland during last Saturday's defeat against Australia.
Priestland, who will start in the No.10 shirt against Fiji this weekend, was jeered by a small section of home fans among a 55,000 crowd when he replaced an injured Dan Biggar shortly after half-time.
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones was among those who condemned the supporters' actions, venting his anger on Twitter, and Gatland has now leapt to 27-year-old Priestland's defence. "I only heard today he was booed," said Gatland. "I suppose it's part of sport now - Tottenham got booed at the weekend, didn't they? The way with social media and stuff and criticism, you feel for Rhys a little bit because he's been hammered on social media by certain sections. He is a confidence player. You hate to see [it]."
Wales (v Fiji, Millennium Stadium, tomorrow, 2.30.
L Williams (Scarlets); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), J Roberts (Racing Metro), G North (Northampton); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Racing Metro); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), B Davies (Wasps), L Charteris (Racing Metro), D Lydiate (unattached), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Substitutes: E Phillips (Scarlets), N Smith (Ospreys), R Jones (Scarlets), A-W Jones (Ospreys), J King (Ospreys), R Williams (Scarlets), J Hook (Gloucester), C Allen (Cardiff Blues)
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