Gareth Davies and Ross Moriarty handed Wales starts

Colin Newboult

Wales have made two changes to their starting XV to face France in Cardiff on Saturday with Gareth Davies and Ross Moriarty coming into the side.

Davies will line-up at half-back alongside Dan Biggar in the only change in the backline. Hadleigh Parkes and Nick Tompkins partner in the midfield with Josh Adams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny comprising the back three.

Moriarty comes in at blindside flanker to set up an all British & Irish Lions back-row. Jake Ball and captain Alun Wyn Jones continue in the second-row with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis named in the front-row.

“Gareth was unavailable in round one and came off the bench last time out so he is full of energy and we are looking forward to him bringing his game on Saturday,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“Ross has impressed off the bench so far and brought a lot of energy and communication as well so he deserves an opportunity to start.

“We have changed around the second-rows on the bench, we are looking at creating competition there and Will (Rowlands) has trained well and we are looking forward to seeing him out on that stage.

“We want to build on what we have done so far and are looking to be more accurate with what we do and improve on that aspect.

“Saturday is going to be a packed Principality Stadium, we know the atmosphere will be electric and it is set for a big day in Cardiff.”

On the bench Ryan Elias, Rob Evans and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover with uncapped second-row Will Rowlands and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans and Johnny McNicholl provide the backline cover.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Johnny McNicholl

Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)