Wales Team Announcement v France

Captain Alun Wyn Jones returns to lead Wales in their final 2018 NatWest 6 Nations match against France on Saturday (KO17.00).

Jones comes back into the pack along with Scarlets duo Rob Evans and Ken Owens and flanker Josh Navidi.

Navidi lines up alongside British & Irish Lions Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau at six and eight respectively. Jones packs down alongside Cory Hill in the second-row with Tomas Francis retained from the victory over Italy to start alongside Evans and Owens.

Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar start at half-back with Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams in the midfield.  Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny form an all British & Irish Lions back-three.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “Saturday is a huge opportunity for us to finish the campaign well, at home in front of our fans.”

“France will be coming to Cardiff in good spirits after their victory over England last weekend so it is set to be a huge encounter.

“There have been some tough selection calls, but that is exactly what we want, we want to be in a position where there are selections and decisions to be made and we have had to make some tough ones this weekend.

“We have picked a team and a squad we believe can deliver this weekend against France.” Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Samson Lee are named as the front-row replacements with Bradley Davies and Aaron Shingler completing the forward contingent.  Aled Davies, Gareth Anscombe and Steff Evans provide the backline cover.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (77 Caps)

George North (Northampton Saints) (72 Caps)

Scott Williams (Scarlets) (54 Caps)

Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (5 Caps)

Liam Williams (Saracens) (47 Caps)

Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (61 Caps)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (31 Caps)

Rob Evans (Scarlets) (24 Caps)

Ken Owens (Scarlets) (56 Caps)

Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (30 Caps)

Cory Hill (Dragons) (14 Caps)

Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (116 Caps) CAPT

Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (56 Caps)

Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (10 Caps) T

aulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby) (71 Caps)

Replacements:

Elliot Dee (Dragons) (4 Caps)

Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (17 Caps)

Samson Lee (Scarlets) (37 Caps)

Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (59 Caps)

Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (16 Caps)

Aled Davies (Scarlets) (7 Caps)

Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (13 Caps)

Steff Evans (Scarlets) (9 Caps)