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Adams and Lewis start as Wales face table toppers Les Bleus

First Team News | 20th February 2020


Cardiff Blues duo Josh Adams and Dillon Lewis have retained their starting spots for Wales' Guinness Six Nations clash against France on Saturday.

Wales will look to bounce back from their defeat in Dublin as they host table toppers Les Bleus, who maintained their winning start to the Championship with a 35-22 victory over Italy last time out.

Adams was forced off in the first half at Aviva Stadium, but has recovered to make his 11th consecutive start in the red jersey. Following a hat-trick against Italy on the opening weekend, the Cardiff Blues wing is joint top try scorer in this year's Championship, alongside France back row Charles Ollivon.

Cardiff Blues academy product, Lewis, will also make his 11th consecutive appearance on the international stage, winning his 25th international cap.

The duo are joined in the match day 23 by regional team-mates Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans, with the half backs named amongst the replacements.

After starting against both Italy and Ireland, scrum half Williams is replaced in the starting XV by Scarlets' Gareth Davies, as one of two changes made by Wayne Pivac. The other change sees Ross Moriarty replacing Dragons team-mate Aaron Wainwright in the back row.

Wasps lock Will Rowlands is in line to make his Test debut from the bench.

Head coach Pivac said: “Gareth was unavailable 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.

“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 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.”

All supporters are invited to join Cardiff Blues in the Guinness Fan Zone at Cardiff Arms Park (18+ only). With free entry into the historic ground, the game will be screened live on our big screens, with food and drink available and live music post-match! 

WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE (Saturday February 22 KO 16.45 BBC & S4C)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (87 Caps)
14. George North (93 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (2 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (27 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (23 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (81 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (52 Caps)
1. Wyn Jones (24 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (75 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (24 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (44 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (136 Caps)
6. Ross Moriarty (43 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (74 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (74 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Ryan Elias (11 Caps)
17. Rob Evans (37 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (8 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (*Uncapped)
20. Aaron Wainwright (20 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (18 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (5 Caps)
23. Johnny McNicholl (2 Caps)