Francis to start for Wales

By Mike Smith
18/3/21

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named in the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial Guinness Six Nations Championship encounter with France in Paris.

Having triumphed in their opening four fixtures of the competition, the Grand Slam is on the line for Wayne Pivac's side.

Fresh from defeating Italy in Rome last weekend, Pivac has made just one change to his starting line-up with Adam Beard, who started the first three matches of the tournament, coming back into the starting side alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones, who is the world Test record holder with 156 international caps - including nine British and Irish Lions appearances, and will make his 148th Wales appearance.

Beard was rested for the 48-7 win over Italy, so Cardiff Blues lock Cory Hill drops to the replacements' bench for the game at the Stade de France.

France have named an unchanged starting XV despite their Grand Slam hopes ending against England last weekend. However, coach Fabien Galthie has made three changes on the bench from the 23-20 loss at Twickenham.

Uini Atonio, lock Swan Rebbadj and centre Arthur Vincent return respectively for Damien Aldegheri, Cyril Caseaux and Cameron Woki.

“We are all looking forward to Saturday and to the finale of the Six Nations,” said Wales head coach Pivac. “We are four from four to date but know this weekend will be a great challenge against a very good French side, but we are looking forward to it.

“We know we need to step up from our previous performances and we want to end the tournament with a performance we know we are capable of. We have had great continuity in selection throughout the tournament and that is shown once again with the selection for Saturday.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE 

1. Wyn Jones (34 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (81 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (56 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (24 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt, 147 Caps)
6. Josh Navidi (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (84 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (85 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (61 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (91 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (31 Caps)
12. Jonathan Davies (87 Caps)
13. George North (101 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (8 Caps)
15. Liam Williams (70 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (36 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (38 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (16 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (31 Caps)
20. James Botham (5 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (21 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (8 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (3 Caps)