Francis starts for Wales against Italy

By Mark Stevens
9/3/21

Tomas Francis has been named in the Wales starting line-up for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations Championship clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday (2.15pm).

The Exeter Chiefs tight-head, who has started in each of the opening three rounds of the competition, will win his 56th Test cap alongside Wyn Jones and Ken Owens in the front-row.

Having collected the Triple Crown already, Wayne Pivac’s side now have their sights set on the Grand Slam with tests against Italy and France to come.

Despite seeing off England in their latest game, Pivac has made two changes to his starting line-up with Cory Hill and Gareth Davies both included.

Hill is the only change in the pack and comes in to partner captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row, whileDavies comes into start at scrum-half alongside Dan Biggar.

“We are really looking forward to this weekend and are ready to get out there on Saturday,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.“Three from three is a great start but there has been plenty to do and plenty of work-ons. We’ve had a two week build up to this game, trained really well in the fallow week and are looking forward to round 4.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY ITALY

1. Wyn Jones (33 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (80 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (55 Caps)
4. Cory Hill (30 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt, 146 Caps)
6. Josh Navidi (26 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (83 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (84 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (60 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (90 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (30 Caps)
12. Jonathan Davies (86 Caps)
13. George North (100 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (7 Caps)
15. Liam Williams (69 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (35 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (12 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (15 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (49 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (28 Caps)
21. Lloyd Williams (31 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (7 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (2 Cap)