WALES make three changes to their starting line-up ahead of the third game in the Six Nations.
Attack coach Rob Howley speaks about Wales’s injury dilemmas at yesterday’s press conference
Dan Lydiate comes in for Justin Tipuric and Bradley Davies replaces the injured Luke Charteris in the second row.
Wing Alex Cuthbert is also named in the back line instead of fellow Blues back Tom James. The pair both played 40 minutes in the region’s loss against Leinster on the weekend.
Jonathan Davies is also declared fit to play after he was pulled from his game for French side Clermont Auvergne on the weekend. Fellow Welsh centre Cory Allen, however, was stretchered off after an ankle injury for the Blues.
Attack coach Rob Howley admitted wing George North had been training in the centre role in preparation for Friday’s clash.
The coaching staff delayed the team announcement by 48 hours after a number of injury worries at the weekend.
Howley acknowledged this week that injury is always a concern for team selection. He said: “It’s the nature of the week between Six Nations games.
“We have come through it OK but it’s obviously disappointing about Cory [Allen].”
Racing 92 lock Charteris sat out his team’s win, while Dan Lydiate played over an hour for the Ospreys Friday night.
The reintroduction of Dan Lydiate and Bradley Davies will add more bulk to the Welsh forwards.
Howley said: “France are renowned for their dominance in their pack. We have certainly gained more parity in that area.
“We certainly get better as the tournament goes on.”
Lock Jake Ball is also named on the bench after not playing since turning out for the Scarlets on Boxing Day.
Wales have not lost against Les Bleus in the Six Nations since 2011. Rob Howley believes nullifying their pack and an assured defence will extend this streak at the Principality Stadium on Friday.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE:
Backs
15: Liam Williams
14: Alex Cuthbert
13: Jonathan Davies
12: Jamie Roberts
11: George North
10: Dan Biggar
9: Gareth Davies
Forwards
1: Rob Evans
2: Scott Baldwin
3: Samson Lee
4: Bradley Davies
5: Alun Wyn Jones
6: Dan Lydiate
7: Sam Warburton (c)
8: Taulupe Faletau
Replacements
Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Tom Francis, Jake Ball, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe
