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Four changes for Wales and a positional switch for skipper Jenkins
Warren Gatland has confirmed a Wales team to host France next Sunday in Cardiff that has four changes from the XV beaten by Ireland in Guinness Six Nations round three in Dublin.
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The Welsh lost out 7-31 at Aviva Stadium on February 24 and they now go in against the French at Principality Stadium with an entirely changed midfield and two more alterations in their pack.
In the backs, Joe Roberts will win his second Test cap when he pairs up with Owen Watkin. They take over from George North and Nick Tompkins, who started against the Irish and were believed to be fit for selection against the French.
Up front, captain Dafydd Jenkins is named at blindside flanker for the first time and not at second row. This will allow Will Rowlands, a sub in Wales’ two most recent defeats, to make his first start of the 2024 Six Nations alongside Adam Beard in the second row. Alex Mann drops to the bench.
The remaining XV change is at hooker where Ryan Elias is promoted ahead of the benched Elliott Dee. Another alteration to the replacements sees Gareth Davies named as the back-up scrum-half in place of Kieran Hardy.
Gatland said: “There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity. It will be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday particularly up front.
“We know they will start hard and it is about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We are looking for an 80-minute performance.
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“We are 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 (vs France, Sunday)
15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 57 caps)
13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 1 cap)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 37 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 17 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 10 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 56 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 28 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 31 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 54 caps)
6. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps, captain)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 46 caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 49 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 55 caps)
19. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
20. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 75 caps)
22. Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets – 5 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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