Wales coach Warren Gatland has dropped centres Nick Tompkins and George North, and moved captain Dafydd Jenkins from the secondrow to flanker as he made four changes to his side that lost to Ireland for the match against France in Cardiff in the Six Nations on Sunday (3.0).
Jenkins’s switch, for what is his first international cap in the backrow, is to accommodate the return to the starting line-up of lock Will Rowlands, who will partner Adam Beard.
There is also a change in the frontrow where hooker Ryan Elias comes in for Elliot Dee, who moves to the bench, while Joe Roberts will earn a second cap at outside centre in the place of North, and Owen Watkin is selected instead of Tompkins.
“There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity,” Gatland said. “It’ll be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday, particularly up front.
“We know they will start hard and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We’re looking for an 80-minute performance.”
Sam Costelow will get another run at outhalf, with experienced scrumhalf Tomos Williams named ahead of Gareth Davies, who is among the replacements.
Cameron Winnett has retained his place at fullback and will form a back three with wings Josh Adams and Rio Dyer.
Props Gareth Thomas and Keiron Assiratti keep their places and will be either side of Elias, with Tommy Reffell and number eight Aaron Wainwright making up the backrow with Jenkins.
Wales suffered narrow losses to Scotland (26-27) and England (14-16) earlier in the Six Nations, but were outclassed in their last outing in Ireland, where they suffered a 31-7 defeat.
They have lost their last five meetings with France, but before that won eight out of nine against Les Bleus.
WALES (v France): Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Keiron Assiratti; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Dafydd Jenkins (capt), Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.
