Six Nations: Warren Gatland makes surprise calls in Wales team to face France

Following three successive defeats, which has left them just above Italy on points difference, they have decided to change tact.

Out has gone the centre partnership of Nick Tompkins and George North, with Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts instead combining.

North's omission is particularly surprising given how he performed against England and Ireland, with the centurion looking powerful in contact against both sides, but youngster Roberts comes in and earns his second international cap.

Elsewhere, the back three remains the same, as does the half-back partnership of Tomos Williams and Sam Costelow, but the back-row has been switched.

Captain Dafydd Jenkins shifts from lock to blindside flanker, replacing the impressive Alex Mann, and joins Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright in the loose trio.

That means Will Rowlands makes his first start of the 2024 Six Nations and partners Adam Beard at lock.

With Wainwright, Jenkins, Beard and Rowlands, that gives them four genuine jumpers. Wales could therefore seek to target France at the set-piece, but they will also hope it can help Ryan Elias shore up their own lineout.

Elias struggled against both Scotland and England, but he came on in Round Three and was much more accurate with his throwing.

He therefore takes over from Elliot Dee and forms a front-row combination alongside Gareth Thomas and Keiron Assiratti.

Dee drops down to the bench, where he is joined by Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Mann and Mackenzie Martin as the forward replacements, while Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd and Mason Grady cover the backs.

Gatland said: œThere are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity.

œIt'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.

œWe're 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 team to face France - 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Alex Mann, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady

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