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Wales make 11 changes from autumn loss to Springboks for France trip
By Josh Raisey
Warren Gatland has made 11 changes to the Wales starting XV that lost 12-45 to South Africa in November for their opening match of the Guinness Six Nations against France on Friday in Paris.
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The four players that have remained in the XV are captain Jac Morgan, lock Will Rowlands, flanker James Botham, and fly-half Ben Thomas, who started at inside centre against the world champions.
Wales will welcome back a handful of favourites for the clash at the Stade de France as they look to arrest a 12-Test losing streak, including the previously injured trio of Josh Adams, Tomos Williams and Dafydd Jenkins. Liam Williams also finds himself back in a Welsh matchday squad after returning from his stint in Japan at the end of last year.
Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards is the only uncapped player in the squad, with Gatland opting for an inexperienced set of backs on the bench with the five-cap Rhodri Williams and the three-cap Blair Murray.
“We’re excited for the challenge on Friday,” Gatland said. “The Six Nations is the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that and start our championship well.”
Wales XV
15. Liam Williams (Saracens – 92 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 38 caps)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 42 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 59 caps)
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 59 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 35 caps)
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
3. Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 36 caps)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 19 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 18 caps) – captain
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 52 caps)
Replacements
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 51 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 49 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 10 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 23 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 5 caps)
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – uncapped)
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 3 caps)
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