Warren Gatland has made four changes to the Wales team to take on France this weekend, from the side that beat Scotland at Murrayfield.
George North returns to the wing in place of Alex Cuthbert, whose poor performances see him drop out of the squad altogether. Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny complete the back three, with Scott Williams on the bench.
Samson Lee returns on the tighthead while next to him, Scott Baldwin is promoted ahead of Richard Hibbard, who drops to the bench. The last change comes in the second row, where Luke Charteris is preferred to Jake Ball, who also drops out of the squad, with Bradley Davies preferred as a substitute.
“We have made some tough calls and there were some tight decisions but it is a very strong team we are putting out,” said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“We have a lot of strength in depth at second-row, it is a chance for Luke Charteris to get a start and we have been impressed with Bradley Davies as well. It is nothing against Jake but we have a lot of strength in depth and it’s an opportunity to see the other two.
“It’s a chance for Scott Baldwin to start as well, the last time he started he went well in the victory over South Africa. It is great to have Samson back available and it was a tough call in the back-three but we have decided to go with Liam and George.
“We felt we improved against Scotland and we are looking for another improvement this weekend. It’s a tough competition to go on the road and ask for that but that is what we are looking for.”
WALES TEAM TO FACE FRANCE:
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Paul James (Bath), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
14 replies on “Six Nations 2015: Wales team named to play France”
Like this selection a lot. Cuthbert has been begging to be dropped. 2nd row is competitive though personally Ball is my type of player so I’d have kept him but Bradley seems to have new form after moving to Wasps, good to see him back.
Scott Baldwin starting is interesting but given the way the French play we will have plenty of time to see all of the bench front row players on the pitch.
Looks a very strong team who should be to strong for this French outfit!
I agree with most of those changes, North hasn’t been in the best form for Wales, but some of his play for Saints has been amazing this season. I’d back him to step up after a quiet couple of games. Liam Williams had to be kept, so good at the moment. Absolutely gutted Tigers couldn’t entice him away to replace Matt Tait…
Agree with Brighty on Ball – really rate him and never been overly impressed with Charteris or Davies, both always underwhelm… But I can see why bringing in the big(er) second rows makes sense against the monster French pack.
Scott Williams was another who deserves his chance – does he cover wing though if someone is crocked?
Seriously though is there not another scrum half in Wales to pick over Phillips?
Rhys Webb?
Webb is good but he cant be on the pitch and on the bench tho. Gareth Davies was 3rd scrum half in the squad but he hasnt been starting for the Scarlets recently.
Couldn’t find a fence to sit on so here’s my tuppence worth – If Morgan “the annoyance” Parra recovers France will win – if not then Wales will.
DDD
You are probably right, any truth to the rumour that Jonathan Davies was responsible?!
I like Wales but I simply think they are overrated this year, the potential is here but most of the players are not really in form. I am curious to see the game against France, 2 teams underplaying at the moment so the loosing side will not prepare the WC in best conditions. And Finally France will probably play without the 2 or 3 parasites (such as Pape) that we were having the last few games … but yes still the same awful coaching team unfortunately.
want a chuckle see http://wp.me/p5z6hK-32
I agree with it for the most part but unsure about Hibbard going to the bench; but that’s cos i got huge love for his big hit’s and find him huge obstacle on D. Although he form hasn’t been amazing so I can understand the need to bench him I just hope it doesn’t backfire. I don’t know a whole lot about Baldwin so I’m hoping he can offer some of those attributes.
The problem with Hibbard is that his lineout throwing has totally gone to pot. It was never great, against both England and Scotland it was poor…very poor.
Cannot understand dropping Jake Ball from the squad as he provides real grunt and am still not convinced by Streakofp+ss in the 2nd row. He just looks like he’ll snap in half in the tackle.
Can only assume it is to improve the lineout stats and he has XP of playing in France.
I still think Lydiate is dining out on past glories and SW at 6 and Tipuric at 7 would suit the Wales far better. Losing in game 1 means Wales have nothing to lose and therefore should experiment.
It didn’t hurt England to select outside the box. But of course Cementhead is no Lancaster and so predictable with selection.
I expect Wales to get beaten and maybe even a good hammering if… (big if as ever) …the French click.
But we say that all the time about them all the time. They really are the ‘box of chocolates’ because you don’t know what you will get.
— Bad analogy alert —
What type of chocolates are you eating?
Usually there is a “Team Sheet” (inside the box) explaining the nougats, hard toffees and nuts – which can cause dental problems and then the Pralines, fondants and soft caramels which often steal the show! You always know what you are going to get. Maybe you just aren’t looking hard enough at the “roadmap” or else……… it’s on the bottom of the box.
PS – be careful turning the box over!
DDD
the welsh lack fire power need to speed up game and keep the tempo going for 80 mins need more attack and change game plan weve got the team need to go up three gears Cardiff fan
Yes very bad analogy indeed.
Chocolates are normally made to a very consistent level of quality and the contents of the box will always contain the same selection, in essence one box is very much like the other.
With the France team of the other hand it normally anyones guess as to which flavours of chocolates PSA will decide to put in any given box and it is a further lottery as to whether the chocolates selected will taste anything like they are supposed to.
The France team is more like a woolworths pick and mix. Theres the same selection of sweets available every week but its difficult to tell if they are past their use by date, have been rolling around on the floor, or have been licked/fondled by small children. One bag is never quite like another but it still has the potential to be a tasty treat