Francis starts for Wales

By Mark Stevens
24/11/16

Tomas Francis has been named in the Wales starting line-up for this Saturday’s Autumn international against South Africa at the Principality Stadium (5:30pm).

The Exeter Chiefs tight-head played the entire 80 minutes against Argentina a fortnight ago, but was not part of the Wales side that narrowly edged home against Japan last weekend.

Head Coach Rob Howley took the option to rest a number of his frontline stars against Japan, but they all return for this weekend’s encounter against the Springboks.

The one change to the starting XV that faced Argentina sees Dan Lydia come into the side at blindside flanker in place of Sam Warburton, who picked up an injury in training on Tuesday.

There are two further changes amongst the replacements with Taulupe Feleatu returning from injury to take his place on the bench, alongside Ospreys fly-half Sam Davies.

Gothic Jenkin, who has led Wales in every match he has started this campaign, will again lead the side and lines-up in the front-row alongside Ken Owen and Francis, who will win his 17th international cap.

“We were pleased with he win against Argentina so have gone with virtually the same team for South Africa,” said Howley.

“We’ve made just one change in the back-row. Sam picked up a bit of a stinger injury on Tuesday and isn’t quite ready so Dan comes in. Dan played particularly well against Japan so we are pleased he gets the opportunity again.

“It’s good to have Taulupe back in the squad, he will add a good impact from the bench. We are delighted with Sam, he showed individual composure and accuracy last week and he gets another opportunity on the bench, as he did against Australia.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA

15 Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon, 65 caps)

14 George North (Northampton Saints, 64 caps)

13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 58 caps)

12 Scott Williams (Scarlets, 40 caps)

11 Liam Williams (Scarlets, 37 caps)

10 Dan Biggar (Ospreys, 50 caps)

9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 21 caps)

1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, Capt, 128 caps)

2 Ken Owens (Scarlets, 44 caps)

3 Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)

4 Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby, 70 caps)

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, 104 caps)

6 Dan Lydiate (Ospreys, 59 caps)

7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 45 caps)

8 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester, 11 caps)


Replacements

16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys, 27 caps)

17 Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 6 caps)

18 Samson Lee (Scarlets, 28 caps)

19 Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons, 2 caps)

20 Taupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, 61 caps)

21 Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues, 28 caps)

22 Sam Davies (Ospreys, 2 caps)

23 Jamie Roberts (Harlequns, 85 caps)