Robert Page admits World Cup play-off influenced selection in Wales’ Poland loss

Wales boss Robert Page admitted his team selection for their opening Nations League game in Poland was influenced by Sunday’s World Cup play-off final.

Skipper Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies and Joe Allen were all rested as Wales slid to a 2-1 defeat in Wroclaw – their first loss for nearly a year.

Jonny Williams fired Wales ahead in the 52nd minute with his second international goal, but substitutes Jakub Kaminski and Karol Swiderski turned the tie Poland’s way in the final quarter.

“I didn’t leave anybody out because there were injury concerns,” Page said.

“I left them out purely because we’ve got the game on Sunday.

“There was a group that trained today and I already had the substitutions planned before the game.

“The plan was already in place. I didn’t need to risk Aaron, Gareth, Ben, Joe, there was no benefit in that whatsoever.

“They’ve done a controlled session, what they need, to get them ready for Sunday.

“I made sure they were in the changing room. They’re a massive influence on that group and I wanted them in there.

“Even at half-time I wanted them to be a part of it and they were the first ones through the door at the end.”

This was Wales’ first game in the top tier of the Nations League following their promotion two years ago.

Belgium and Holland complete the group, and Page was pleased that his side had played Poland just four days before the date with World Cup destiny in Cardiff.

Page said: “It’s the way we wanted it. We wanted this fixture first.

“It gave us an opportunity to give DJ (Daniel James) some minutes – he wanted to play – Kieffer (Moore) needed some minutes, and Neco Williams.

“It was a productive exercise. We knew it was going to be a battle, but I couldn’t be more proud of those