Four changes for Wales and a positional switch for skipper Jenkins
Warren Gatland has confirmed a Wales team to host France next Sunday in Cardiff that has four changes from the XV beaten by Ireland in Guinness Six Nations round three in Dublin.
The Welsh lost out 7-31 at Aviva Stadium on February 24 and they now go in against the French at Principality Stadium with an entirely changed midfield and two more alterations in their pack.
In the backs, Joe Roberts will win his second Test cap when he pairs up with Owen Watkin. They take over from George North and Nick Tompkins, who started against the Irish and were believed to be fit for selection against the French.
Up front, captain Dafydd Jenkins is named at blindside flanker for the first time and not at second row. This will allow Will Rowlands, a sub in Wales' two most recent defeats, to make his first start of the 2024 Six Nations alongside Adam Beard in the second row. Alex Mann drops to the bench.
The remaining XV change is at hooker where Ryan Elias is promoted ahead of the benched Elliott Dee. Another alteration to the replacements sees Gareth Davies named as the back-up scrum-half in place of Kieran Hardy.
Gatland said: “There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity. It will be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday particularly up front.
“We know they will start hard and it is about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We are looking for an 80-minute performance.
"We are excited to be back at home for our last two matches and looking forward to getting out in front of a passionate Welsh crowd this weekend.”
Wales (vs France, Sunday)
15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 57 caps)
13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 1 cap)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 37 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 17 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 10 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 56 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 28 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 31 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 54 caps)
6. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps, captain)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 46 caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 49 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 55 caps)
19. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
20. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 75 caps)
22. Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets – 5 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
Latest Comments
After a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
Go to commentsSuper Rugby Pacific has been better as a spectacle due to the emphasis on speeding the game up and I’d look at taking things a step further. Instead of giving teams 90 seconds to take a conversion, let’s bring that down 60 seconds. You could also look at allowing 45 seconds for a penalty goal. Maybe teams could get 20 seconds instead of 30 to form a scrum before the ref then starts the engagement process. However, this year the most pleasing change is the added competitiveness in the Trans Tasman matches. What does frustrate me is how the rugby media in Australasia allow the the whole ‘‘rugby is boring’’/’’rugby yawnion’’ narrative to take hold from from vindictive league types, the chairman of the ARL commission and News Limited Australia. Stick up for the game and shift the narrative!
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