Wales team announcement LIVE: Navidi and Davies to start 2022 Six Nations game with France
Reigning Six Nations champions Wales take on grand-slam chasing France at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday evening
Wales are announcing their team to play France in the Six Nations encounter in Cardiff on Friday night.
Wayne Pivac’s side come into the penultimate round of games sitting fifth in the table, having struggled with injuries in their championship title defence, and while they are unlikely to finish bottom thanks to Italy’s woeful showing, there is plenty of pride to won back in denying the table-topping French a potential grand slam.
Earlier France named their team, revealing wing Damian Penaud and lock Romain Taofifenua had tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the match. Penaud is replaced in the starting line-up by Gabin Villiere, who has recovered from injury. Taofifenua was on the bench when France beat Scotland 11 days ago and two switches among the replacements see call-ups for Mohamed Haouas and Matthis Lebel.
Penaud apart, Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie has otherwise retained the team that defeated Scotland, although he faces an anxious wait for further Covid-19 test results in his squad. But fears have been allayed about captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont after he suffered a knock during training on Tuesday.
Follow all the latest news below:
New Welsh blindside Seb Davies says...
About his selection: “A little bit surprised. I haven’t played six for quite a while. Obviously very happy, pretty excited.
On the performance against England: “I felt good. We were forced into playing with the ball a lot in our own half and I’m quite good at getting on the ball and offloading. Disappointed with the result, but on a personal level I thought it went quite well.
On what he offers: “I’m a good lineout option so I am always going to be there. I can slot in either in the second row and then six as well. It’s good to have the utility to play both positions.
On Josh Navidi: “He’s great, . He’s obviously a physical ball carrier, physical in defence, gets over the ball well and has a high workrate. He’s a key player for us.
About France: “Any game is a big test. They are playing very well at the moment. We have to limit the chances they get in our 22. They have a big forward pack and the more we can limit them the better we are going to be.”
Biggar on Tomas Francis
“The circus round it is probably bigger than the incident itself. The team aren’t going to take any risks on players. The physio and medical staff, their first point of call is the health of the players. From our end, there are absolutely no issues. If Franny wasn’t fit to play, then he wouldn’t be involved. He’s passed everything and we trust the process completely.”
Wales captain Dan Biggar on France
“A night kick-off, playing the form team in the world at the minute, it doesn’t get any better than that. It is a huge challenge.
“Obviously we were pretty unlucky last year in the Grand Slam game, we just came up short for one reason or another. We realise that this French team is probably slightly different to the previous French teams we have played over the years. Physicality is a huge thing for us on Friday night. You look at the way they dismantled Scotland. It is about making sure we are physically ready and we take our opportunities because they are probably going to be few and far between.”
Josh Navidi and Seb Davies start for Wales against France
Josh Navidi to return for Wales in Six Nations clash with France
Taine Basham left out
“It is one selection in a number,” says Wayne Pivac of the back row, an autumn star now out of the 23. “He is a young player who has played a lot of big games in a row and started to make a few errors in the last game. Taine has been very open and honest. We feel it is a good time to freshen Taine up and give Josh that opportunity. We will wait and see what we do next week.”
Pivac on his wings
“I’m very happy with the two that started last week. Louis Rees-Zammit went back to his club, scored a great try there and hopefully he will do the same for us this weekend.”
Wayne Pivac on Tomas Francis and concussion
“We are going with experts in concussion. We are doing everything in our power that we can do. The decision has been taken. It is not a light decision because the player’s health and safety are at the forefront. That is why we have gone to the experts.
“There’s a review looking at it. I didn’t see the incident live. All of that information will be part of the review.
“I think the HIA regulations are fit for purpose until they are changed. They are the ones that we have all been working to for some time. Leading experts are involved in putting those in place.”
Wayne Pivac continues
“The French are a very big, physical side and we are certainly need to win some collisions. Gareth Thomas gets the opportunity with Wyn Jones on the bench.”
On his two previous encounters with France: “They’ve been two great games and I am hoping that this will be the same.”
More from Wayne Pivac on his back row
“Josh has done it before. He did it against Ireland last year first game back. Certain players can do this. WE know that he can do it. He is ready to go and we are very pleased to have him back.
“Seb we have been giving some cameos off the bench. We’ve looked at the team we are playing, looking to reduce our error count and get the discipline right. In attack he gives us another weapon I think.
“A lot of it is forced on us with injuries. Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate - a lot of players have been unavailable. We’d like to get some continuity with selection. There are only a few tweaks to this squad. Nick Tompkins is going through the concussion process this week. We are hopeful that he will be right [for Italy].”
Tomas Francis and Josh Adams passed fit to play
Both Tomas Francis and Josh Adams retain their starting places despite suffering head injuries against England.
“Tomas 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,” reads Wales’ statement on the pair. “Having suffered no adverse reactions and no complications in successfully completing each stage of the return to play protocols, both are available for selection.”
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