Wales' starting line-up on Saturday contains a record 859 caps
Wales will field the most capped team in Six Nations history on Saturday – and head coach Wayne Pivac hopes that experience can be a factor against France.
The Welsh starting line-up contains a record 859 caps, with more than half the side having played at least 50 Tests and skipper Alun Wyn Jones edging close to 140 for his country. It breaks the previous best mark of 822 set by Italy against Scotland in 2012.
“Hopefully it will mean a lot this weekend,” said Pivac, who has made two changes from the side beaten by Ireland in round two, calling up scrum-half Gareth Davies and flanker Ross Moriarty.
“If we can start well, which is something we are trying to achieve in both halves – we have been a bit slow out of the blocks – then that experience will hopefully come through for us and will test some of the inexperienced players in their side.”
Davies replaces Tomos Williams while Moriarty takes over from Aaron Wainwright, packing down in the back row alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. Williams and Wainwright are both among the replacements, where there is also a role for uncapped Wasps lock Will Rowlands.
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Jim Hamilton and Darren Cave give their predictions as Wales take on France
Wing Josh Adams and fly-half Dan Biggar, who went off during the Ireland game, are fit to face Les Bleus and both start. Prolific try-scorer Adams took a knock to his hip, while Biggar failed a head injury assessment.
Northampton star Biggar, who suffered two head injuries during the World Cup earlier this season, has fully trained since last week and completed all return-to-play protocols. All testing was undertaken with the addition of a globally renowned concussion expert reviewing Biggar’s return, which was proactively sought by the Welsh Rugby Union’s medical team.
Pivac added: “He [Biggar] has gone through the regular process and passed those with flying colours. We’ve also gone to a world-leading expert in concussion, who he has seen previously at the World Cup. Every precaution has been taken. He has come through it and been cleared to play. He’s good to go and has trained very well this week.”
Shaun Edwards brings his unbeaten team to Wales this weekend, with a very strong side in the backs department #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/jyF2h9pBWC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 20, 2020
Victory for Wales would keep them in the title mix – and recent history is on their side. France have not won a Six Nations game in Cardiff since they triumphed there 10 years ago, losing on four successive occasions. Wales have also won eight of the countries’ last nine meetings, including a World Cup quarter-final in Japan four months ago.
France, though, are unbeaten from their first two games in this season’s Six Nations and now have former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards in their backroom team. “They have started very well in this competition with a great win over England and backed it up with a five-pointer against Italy. They come full of confidence,” Pivac said.
France are riding a wave of optimism after an unbeaten start to the Six Nations with Wales next to test their resolve. RugbyPass digs deep into the reasons behind the French renaissance…
Part 2 of @OwainJTJones on the French new wave ????https://t.co/Tr8zfLd0rw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 19, 2020
“It’s been about us wanting to get back out there and right some of the wrongs from the Ireland game. We know we have got a better performance in us. 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. If we can get the win and England do a job at home (against Ireland on Sunday), then what an exciting championship we’ve got with two games remaining.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Catch up on all the highlights from round five of the Japanese Top League
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments