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HomeRugbySix Nations 2022: Wales make 4 modifications to face France

Six Nations 2022: Wales make 4 modifications to face France


Josh Navidi and Seb Davies
Josh Navidi and Seb Davies are Cardiff team-mates
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Friday, 11 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Protection: Watch dwell on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and on-line from 19:30 GMT; hear on BBC Radio 5 Reside, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; textual content commentary on BBC Sport web site and app.

Wales have introduced in Cardiff duo Seb Davies and Josh Navidi in a again row reshuffle for the Six Nations to face France in Cardiff on Friday.

Davies is generally a lock, whereas Navidi has simply been referred to as up the squad after recovering from a shoulder damage.

Centre Jonathan Davies can also be included for concussion sufferer Nick Tompkins, whereas prop Gareth Thomas additionally begins.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has included prop Tomas Francis, who suffered a head damage in opposition to England.

Centre Owen Watkin and Josh Adams have additionally recovered from head knocks suffered within the 23-19 defeat at Twickenham.

Wales had been warned in opposition to selecting Francis after the Ospreys prop collided with Watkin throughout the England sport.

Tv footage confirmed Francis staggering following a conflict of heads, and he additionally appeared to lean on the submit pads for help.

The 29-year-old was faraway from the pitch for a head damage evaluation that he handed, earlier than returning and enjoying till the 56th minute.

Participant welfare foyer group Progressive Rugby wrote an open letter to World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the Six Nations final week expressing its concern over the episode, which is at present being reviewed by Six Nations Rugby.

Professor John Fairclough, a number one surgeon who has beforehand labored with the WRU, stated he felt it will be “a grave mistake” if Wales chosen Francis and that he can be at “pointless danger of significant hurt”.

A WRU assertion stated: “Tomas Francis and Josh Adams have been managed clinically by Wales medical personnel in following the entire required return-to-play protocols, as specified within the World Rugby laws.

“Having suffered no antagonistic reactions and no problems in efficiently finishing every stage of the return-to-play protocols, each can be found for choice.”

Again row reshuffle

Dragons duo Ross Moriarty and Taine Basham began as flankers alongside Taulupe Faletau at Twickenham on 26 February.

Seb Davies, 25, completed that sport within the blind-side flanker function after approaching as a substitute.

Pivac has been searching for a hybrid lock and flanker performer who can put on the quantity six jersey.

Davies, who has 15 caps, has beforehand featured at quantity eight for Wales.

Navidi performed his first sport in nearly 5 months for Cardiff in opposition to Ulster final Friday.

The 31-year-old will begin at open-side flanker, a job shared by Basham and Jac Morgan within the first three Six Nations video games.

“Josh is a implausible participant and has performed properly for us prior to now,” stated Pivac.

“He is come straight again into the aspect, so having 80 minutes below his belt for Cardiff, we expect that is sufficient for him and we stay up for him being again on the market bringing that have.

“He is an excellent participant and has performed at this stage on many events in order that’s going to be nice for us.

“Seb at six simply provides us a bit bit extra dimension. It helps the line-out, but in addition within the wider channels the place he usually runs – he is bought the skillset to bother a couple of defenders out huge.”

Moriarty is relegated to the replacements bench alongside Morgan with Basham dropping out of the match-day squad.

Tompkins has not been thought of for choice as he sustained a concussion in Saracens’ victory over Leicester final Saturday.

Ospreys prop Thomas has been most well-liked to British and Irish Lion Wyn Jones, whereas Louis Rees-Zammit returns to the bench.

“I feel Gareth made a very large impression for us final week, as did numerous gamers, and so he will get to begin,” added Pivac.

“Wyn will end the sport this time versus beginning it.”

Fabien Galthie’s aspect are the one unbeaten group left within the event and stay heading in the right direction for a primary Grand Slam and Six Nations title since 2010.

Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, J Davies, Adams; Biggar (capt), T Williams; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau.

Replacements: Lake, W Jones, D Lewis, Moriarty, J Morgan, Hardy, Anscombe, Rees-Zammit.

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