Wales team to face France announced

Wales have made three changes to their starting line-up for their RBS 6 Nations clash against France with Ryan Jones returning to lead the side. Ospreys duo Richard Hibbard and Justin Tipuric both come into the starting XV whilst captain Sam Warburton has failed to recover from a stinger injury sustained in the defeat to Ireland last weekend.

Jones, will lead Wales for a record 30th time at the Stade de France and he lines up at six alongside Tipuric at openside flanker and Toby Faletau at number eight. Hibbard returns from injury to take his place in the front-row, alongside Gethin Jenkins and Ospreys team mate Adam Jones. Andrew Coombs and Ian Evans continue their partnership in the second-row.

Interim Wales head coach Rob Howley has named an unchanged backline which will see Jamie Roberts win his 50th cap in Paris. Mike Phillips will continue his half-back partnership with Dan Biggar, with Roberts playing alongside Jonathan Davies in the midfield.

In the back-three, Leigh Halfpenny lines up at full-back with Alex Cuthbert and George North on the wings. There are two changes amongst the replacements with Aaron Shingler replacing Tipuric and Lou Reed (Blues) replacing Olly Kohn.

“We didn’t start the tournament the way we wanted to on the weekend but Saturday is a chance for us to go out and show what we can do,” said Howley. “We know that we will have to start well and start the way we finished the game against Ireland.

“It’s disappointing to have Sam ruled out but Ryan comes in as captain with a wealth of experience.Playing France in Paris is always a huge match but we have worked hard as a squad this week and want to deliver a performance we know we are capable of.”

WALES SQUAD

Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Andrew Coombs, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (C), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Lou Reed, Aaron Shingler, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.