Team for France

[Numbers]

As this is effectively a game to get the group firing before the Scotland game we will need to field as strong a team as possible, with the current injuries I think it will look something like this:

Wyn Jones
Ryan Elias
Samson Lee
Jake Ball
AWJ
Moriarty
Tipuric
Faletau
Gareth Davies
George North
Dan Biggar
Johnny Williams
JD
Josh Adams
1/2p

Bench:
Nicky Smith
Elliott Dee
Leon Brown
Cory Hill
Wainwright
Rhys Webb
Rhys Patchell
Louis Rees-Zammitt

A few of the positions are a toss up, i.e. Ball and Hill, Davies and Webb but it'll be interesting to see who is selected.

[Mikey Brown]

Jonny Williams really shown that sort of form to jump straight in at 12 already?

Good for him if so.

Is it a long time since we’ve actually seen those three start in the backrow together?

[Sandydragon]

Strong selection considering the players who aren't available. It will be interesting to see what kind of team the French field. I think most of our wider squad will get an opportunity over the next few weeks, so I'm not reading too much into individual picks.

[Numbers]

Jonny Williams really shown that sort of form to jump straight in at 12 already?

Good for him if so.

Is it a long time since we’ve actually seen those three start in the backrow together?

We don't have many 12s in the squad, Watkins, JD, Tompkins are all really 13s imo so not much option than to play someone who actually plays in that position. Personally I'd have given Kieran Williams a pop but he's not in the squad yet.

[Sandydragon]

It wouldn't surprise me if Tompkins is at 12 mind.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales team to face France

1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues, 8 Caps), 2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 13 Caps), 3. Samson Lee (Scarlets, 41 Caps), 4. Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues, 25 Caps), 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, 138 Caps) (CAPT), 6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 21 Caps), 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 76 Caps), 8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath, 76 Caps), 9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 33 Caps), 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton, 83 Caps), 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), 12. Nick Tompkins (Dragons, 4 Caps), 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 81 Caps), 14. George North (Ospreys, 95 Caps), 15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets, 89 Caps)

Replacements: Sam Parry (Ospreys, Uncapped), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 35 Caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 26 Caps), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 7 Caps), James Davies (Scarlets, 8 Caps), Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 53 Caps), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 19 Caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester, Uncapped).

[normanski]

Wales team to face France

1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues, 8 Caps), 2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 13 Caps), 3. Samson Lee (Scarlets, 41 Caps), 4. Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues, 25 Caps), 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, 138 Caps) (CAPT), 6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 21 Caps), 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 76 Caps), 8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath, 76 Caps), 9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 33 Caps), 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton, 83 Caps), 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), 12. Nick Tompkins (Dragons, 4 Caps), 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 81 Caps), 14. George North (Ospreys, 95 Caps), 15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets, 89 Caps)

Replacements: Sam Parry (Ospreys, Uncapped), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 35 Caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 26 Caps), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 7 Caps), James Davies (Scarlets, 8 Caps), Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 53 Caps), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 19 Caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester, Uncapped).

Given the injuries and England-based players this about the strongest team we could put out. There’s a good blend of experience and youth in the side.

Saturday night is going to be really tough given the strength of the France 23 and I can’t see us taking a win away. No fans in the stadium could affect both teams differently but our youngsters might benefit from not having a hostile French crowd baying at them.

AWJ is really one of the greatest Wales players of all time and deserves to sit at the very top of test appearances.

Can’t wait for Saturday night.

[Sandydragon]

That's a strong team. Bit surprised that Moriarty isn't at least on the bench, but its strong none the less.

I agree that it will be an uphill task to win away, but a good test for us nonetheless. It will also be interesting to see which team gets the better start given that both may be a bit rusty.

[Numbers]

That's a strong team. Bit surprised that Moriarty isn't at least on the bench, but its strong none the less.

I agree that it will be an uphill task to win away, but a good test for us nonetheless. It will also be interesting to see which team gets the better start given that both may be a bit rusty.

Moriarty was due to start but picked up an injury in training, Shane Lewis-Hughes has been added to the squad.

I'm amazed that Camille Chat isn't starting for the French, he was immense against Exeter last weekend.

[Hooky]

Really strong and well balanced team. If it weren't for the terrible gameplan pre covid, I would be confident.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Strong team. Happy Webb got the nod (not that there's much in it). Glad Patchell is involved. Interested to see what LRZ is all about.

[francoisfou]

I'm amazed that Camille Chat isn't starting for the French, he was immense against Exeter last weekend.

Chat and Marchand are the two outstanding hookers in the Top14 and barring injury, will be selected for the foreseeable future. Maybe Chat will be in the starting XV for the more important 6N match against Ireland next Saturday (no intention to belittle the Welsh XV, as you too have a 6N match next Saturday)

Edit: The French squad -

15. Bouthier, 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez, 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont, 8. Alldritt, 7. Ollivon (cap), 6. Cros, 5. Willemse, 4. Le Roux, 3.Haouas, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille

16. Chat, 17. Gros, 18. Bamba, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cretin, 21. Serin, 22. Vincent , 23. Ramos

That's a pretty strong side, although injured Clermont wing, Damien Penaud, would certainly have been first choice.

[Sandydragon]

Anyone know what channel this is on?

[normanski]

Anyone know what channel this is on?

C4 and S4C at 8.00 pm kick-off.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Anyone know what channel this is on?

C4 and S4C at 8.00 pm kick-off.

Think it's ITV4 not C4.

[Sandydragon]

Thanks both.

[normanski]

Anyone know what channel this is on?

C4 and S4C at 8.00 pm kick-off.

Think it's ITV4 not C4.

Oops!

[Son of Mathonwy]

C4 and S4C at 8.00 pm kick-off.

Think it's ITV4 not C4.

Oops!

ITV4 is a pretty strange place to show it ... but I guess Wales v France isn't considered prime time Saturday night viewing for ITV.

The fools.

[Which Tyler]

ITV4 is where they always show what little rugby they have - outside of world cups

[Mr Mwenda]

I see STUPID France is back. Great start, Wales.

[Mr Mwenda]

France briefly remember they play rugby for a living. Game on.

[switchskier]

Anyone else see Rattez get the ball and think of Vincent Clerc?

[Sandydragon]

Interesting start, lots of rust on both sides. Nicely taken Welsh try and a lively break for the French one.

French discipline already an issue though, think we’ve just hit 7 penalties in under 25 minutes.

[Mr Mwenda]

Reckon i saw an elbow on AW that might make the citing officee have a rewatch.... Braindead

[Buggaluggs]

I have youtube.tv but can't find it there. Any streams?