Six Nations: Wales recall Gareth Davies and Ross Moriarty for France
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Gareth Davies (left) will win his 53rd Wales cap against France and Ross Moriarty his 44th
Guinness Six Nations: Wales v France |
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Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 22 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. |
Flanker Ross Moriarty and scrum-half Gareth Davies have been recalled to face France in the Six Nations as Wales coach Wayne Pivac makes two changes.
Moriarty replaces fellow Dragons back-rower Aaron Wainwright while Davies comes in for Tomos Williams.
Wasps lock Will Rowlands should win his first cap after being named among the replacements.
Fly-half Dan Biggar and wing Josh Adams have been passed fit after suffering injuries in the defeat against Ireland.
Adams picked up a hip problem in the first half of the 24-14 loss, while Biggar failed a head injury assessment in the second half.
Biggar has been in full training since last week and has completed all concussion protocols, with Wales saying they sought the advice of a globally renowned concussion expert who reviewed the fly-half's return.
Wales say Biggar's health has been at the forefront of their decision-making process, stressing player welfare is their top priority.
"He's gone through the regular process and passed those with flying colours," Pivac said.
"We've also gone to a world leading expert in concussion, who he's seen previously at the World Cup. Every precaution has been taken.
"He's come through it and been cleared to play. He's good to go and trained very well this week."
Wales aim to put right some of the wrongs - Pivac
Pivac also outlined why he had made the changes from the side that was beaten by Ireland.
"Gareth was unavailable round one and came off the bench last time out so he is full of energy and we are looking forward to him bringing his game on Saturday," he said.
"Clearly we have three quality nines and we think Gareth, who was unavailable for the first game, would be the right one to start this game.
"He brings a lot of good line-speed. From a defensive point of view is probably where he got the nod.
"Ross has impressed off the bench so far and brought a lot of energy and communication as well so he deserves an opportunity to start.
"Aaron had a big World Cup and played a lot of rugby since then. He probably, by his standards, hasn't been as involved in games as we would have liked and he would have liked.
"They just swap roles this week, he'll get into the game and hopefully he'll have a big impact on the weekend.
"We have changed around the second-rows on the bench - we are looking at creating competition there and Will has trained well and we are looking forward to seeing him out on that stage."
There are a combined 859 Wales caps in the starting side which is a record for the Six Nations.
France make one positional and one personnel change to the starting side that defeated Italy 35-22.
Virimi Vakatawa is fit again to play at centre and Gael Fickou moves to wing instead of the injured Vincent Rattez, with Damien Penaud also unfit.
There are four changes on the bench with hooker Camille Chat, prop Jean-Baptiste Gros, flanker Dylan Cretin and full-back Thomas Ramos included.
France and Ireland are the only unbeaten teams in the tournament and Pivac expects a tough test.
"They've started very well in this competition with a great win over England and backed it up with a five pointer against Italy," he said.
"They come full of confidence. We've had two weeks to prepare for this game. It's been about us wanting to get back out there, right some of the wrongs from the Ireland game.
"I think this Saturday is a big test for both teams. It's a very big test.
"For us it's to keep us alive in the Championship and for France, it's their first game away.
"It will be interesting to see how both teams approach the game but from our point of view, it's to keep ourselves alive and we are looking for a very big performance."
Wales: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacements: Elias, R Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.
France: Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.
Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.