Wales announce team to take on France in Six Nations

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CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 17: Tomos Williams of Wales scores a try under a challenge from Daniel Kilioni of Tonga during the International Friendly match between Wales and Tonga at Principality Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

head coach has named his team to play in Friday night’s Six Nations curtain-raiser, with Tomos Williams preferred to start in place of Gareth Davies.
The -half will emulate Wales great Sir Gareth Edwards in making his Six Nations debut in Paris and will partner his club teammate Gareth Anscombe at half-back.
In his final Six Nations tournament as head coach complimented the experience of his team as being good enough to rattle a sizeable France pack.
“We are looking forward to kicking off the Six Nations and kicking off our 2019 campaign as a whole.
“We come into the game on an impressive run of results but we know how tough it will be to face France in Paris in the tournament opener.
“It will be a huge contest but we are excited going into it. We have a great deal of experience across the team and on the bench and we want to kick things off well on Friday.”
Setback by the news Taulupe Faletau has re-broken his arm on the eve of Gatland’s Six Nations squad announcement earlier this month, the coaching staff have selected a back row trio of Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.
Elsewhere in the Wales pack, history awaits hooker Ken Owens who is set to become the country’s most-capped hooker on the occasion of his 61st cap.
The backline outside of the half-backs is as you expect, with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies the centre partnership, while a back three of Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams will try to stymie the France attack in the wide channels.
France themselves have announced a formidable pack, with each forward weighing an average of 19st1lb (121.3kg).
Head coach Jacques Brunel has handed a debut to former Bulls lock Paul Willemse, who qualifies for eligibility five years on from leaving his native for Grenoble and later for current club .
Young centre Romain Ntamack has followed in his father Emile’s footsteps to represent his country at the highest level.
The 19-year-old will start at inside centre with Wesley Fofana for company in the France midfield.


Teams for France v Wales (Friday, 20:00 KO)

France: Maxime Medard, Damian Penaud, Wesley Fofana, Romain Ntamack, Yohann Huget, Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, Uini Atonio, Sébastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse, Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur Itturia, Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Dany Priso, Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Gael Fickou, Geoffrey Doumayrou.
Wales: Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, , Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, , Owen Watkin.

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