Six Nations

Alun Wyn Jones returns to skipper Wales

2018-03-15 14:22

Cardiff - Captain Alun Wyn Jones returns from injury to lead Wales in their final Six Nations match against France at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. 

Jones comes back into the pack along with Scarlets duo Rob Evans and Ken Owens and flank Josh Navidi. 

Navidi lines up alongside British & Irish Lions Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau at No 6 and No 8, respectively. Jones packs down alongside Cory Hill in the second row with Tomas Francis retained from the victory over Italy to start alongside Evans and Owens. 

Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar start at halfback with Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams in the midfield. Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny form an all British & Irish Lions back-three. 

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: "Saturday is a huge opportunity for us to finish the campaign well, at home in front of our fans." 

"France will be coming to Cardiff in good spirits after their victory over England last weekend so it is set to be a huge encounter. 

"There have been some tough selection calls, but that is exactly what we want, we want to be in a position where there are selections and decisions to be made and we have had to make some tough ones this weekend. 

"We have picked a team and a squad we believe can deliver this weekend against France." 

Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Samson Lee are named as the front-row replacements with Bradley Davies and Aaron Shingler completing the forward contingent.

Aled Davies, Gareth Anscombe and Steff Evans provide the backline cover.

Teams:

Wales

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Cory Hill, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rob Evans

Substitutes: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Steff Evans

France

15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Gael Fickou, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud (captain), 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Remy Grosso, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Adrien Pelissie, 1 Jefferson Poirot

Substitutes: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Bernard Le Roux, 20 Mathieu Babillot, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Lionel Beauxis, 23 Geoffrey Palis

Read more on:    france  |  wales  |  six nations  |  alun wyn jones  |  rugby
NEXT ON SPORT24X

What To Read Next

 

Read News24’s Comments Policy

Live Video Streaming
Video Highlights

Fixtures
Saturday, 17 March 2018
Italy v Scotland, Stadio Olimpico 14:30
England v Ireland, Twickenham Stadium 16:45
Wales v France, Millennium Stadium 19:00
Logs
Team P W PTS
Previous Results

Date Home Team Result Away Team
Vote

Who will win the 2018 Six Nations title?

Men
Women
Love 2 Meet
Sport24 on Twitter

Follow Sport24 news on Twitter

Featured

The 2017/18 Absa Premiership season is under way. Can Bidvest Wits defend their title? Will Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates emerge victorious? Or will the bookies' favourites, Mamelodi Sundowns, taste success for a record eighth time? Stay glued to Sport24 to find out!

Latest blogs
 

Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

 
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.