Wales: Josh Navidi returns to the starting XV for Six Nations clash with France

Josh Navidi has been named in Wales’ side to take on France in the Six Nations, just a few days after playing his first game since October.

Navidi, who returned to the squad after turning out for Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship last weekend, is named at openside flanker. He makes his first appearance for Wales since facing France in last year’s Six Nations, a match in which he scored his first Test try for his country.

Seb Davies is selected at blindside flanker, his third start for Wales in this position and first appearance in the starting XV since the Australia match last autumn. Taulupe Faletau (number eight) completes the back-row.

Tomas Francis starts despite concussion concerns

Starting his second match for Wales, Gareth Thomas is named at loosehead prop. He joins Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis in the front-row.

Wales’ back three remains unchanged with Josh Adams and Alex Cuthbert selected on the wings and Liam Williams named at full-back.

Francis and Adams have been managed clinically by Wales’ medical personnel in following all of the required return to play protocols, as specified in the World Rugby Regulations.

Having suffered no adverse reactions and no complications in successfully completing each stage of the return to play protocols, both are available for selection.

For the fourth consecutive match Will Rowlands and Adam Beard continue in the second-row, while captain Dan Biggar is at fly-half and Tomos Williams at scrum-half.

Jonathan Davies comes in to partner Owen Watkin in the centre. Nick Tompkins has not been considered for selection as he sustained a concussion in Saracens’ victory over Leicester Tigers last Saturday.

Among the replacements Dillon Lewis returns as tighthead cover and Louis Rees-Zammit is also named. Wyn Jones, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Ross Moriarty are the other forward replacements. Kieran Hardy and Gareth Anscombe provide half-back cover.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “Josh [Navidi] is a fantastic player and has played well for us in the past. He’s come back before straight back into the side so having 80 minutes under his belt for Cardiff we think that’s enough for him and we look forward to him being back out there bringing that experience. He’s a very good player and has played at this level on many occasions so that’s going to be great for us.

“Seb at six just gives us a little bit more size. It helps the lineout, but also in the wider channels where he often runs he’s got the skillset to trouble a few defenders out wide.

“I think Gareth made a really big impact for us last week as did a number of players and so he gets to start. Wyn will finish the game this time as opposed to starting it.

“Any team that can score 40 points against New Zealand plus having recently beaten Ireland in this competition are going to be hard to beat. They have players a number of world class players and are a big side that will test us physically and at the set piece.

“We’re really excited to be back at Principality Stadium this week. The guys love playing at home. It’s just fantastic having the crowd there.

“I think there’s still a few seats left so we’d encourage people to get along and support the team.”

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (c), 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Seb Davies, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ross Moriarty, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit

Date: Friday, March 11
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

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