Six Nations: Wales lock Adam Beard back for Grand Slam trip to France
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Ospreys lock Adam Beard made his Wales debut on tour against Samoa in 2017
Six Nations 2021: France v Wales |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 20 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, 5 Live, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app, S4C |
Highlights: Scrum V, Sunday, BBC Two Wales, 21 March, from 19:00 GMT and later on demand |
Wales coach Wayne Pivac has recalled lock Adam Beard in the only change to his side as they aim to complete the Six Nations Grand Slam against France.
Beard was rested for the 48-7 win over Italy after starting the victories over Ireland, Scotland and England.
Cardiff Blues lock Cory Hill drops to the replacements' bench for Saturday's game at the Stade de France, Paris.
France have named an unchanged starting XV despite their Grand Slam hopes ending against England last weekend.
However, coach Fabien Galthie has made three changes on the bench from the 23-20 loss at Twickenham.
Uini Atonio, lock Swan Rebbadj and centre Arthur Vincent return respectively for Damien Aldegheri, Cyril Caseaux and Cameron Woki.
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams returns as a replacement after suffering a hamstring injury against Ireland on 7 February.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones will partner Beard in the second row and is bidding for a record fourth Grand Slam.
Jones, who is the world Test record holder with 156 international caps - including nine British and Irish Lions appearances, will make his 148th Wales appearance on Saturday.
His Wales caps alone are now equal to the second-highest capped player of all time, Richie McCaw.
Six Nations: We're lucky that 14 of team have won a Grand Slam - Wales boss Pivac
"We are all looking forward to Saturday and to the finale of the Six Nations," said Pivac.
"We are four from four but know this will be a great challenge against a very good French side.
"We know we need to step up from our previous performances and we want to end the tournament with a performance we know we are capable of.
"We have had great continuity in selection throughout the tournament and that is shown once again with the selection for Saturday."
Wales are bidding for their second Grand Slam in three tournaments, following a disappointing 2020 with only three wins in 10 games in the calendar year.
Despite defeat by England last weekend, France are the only other side who can still win the competition although they will need victory in both remaining games to have any chance.
Scotland's trip to Paris has been rescheduled for 26 March after the match originally planned for 28 February was postponed because of Covid-19 cases in the French camp.
France: Brice Dulin; Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon (capt), Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Uini Antonio, Swan Rebbadj, Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Serin, Romain Ntamack, Arthur Vincent.
Wales: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo.
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