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

Back-rower Josh Navidi returns to Wales’s starting line-up for the Six Nations game against France (Getty Images)

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:

Wales team annoucement

• Back-rowers Josh Navidi and Seb Davies into Wales starting line-up, as is veteran centre Jonathan Davies
• Wales XV: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, J Davies, Adams; Biggar (C), T Williams; Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau
• Wales play France on Friday night in Cardiff (8pm)
• French wing Damian Penaud misses out with Covid-19

[9 March 2022 13:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Tomas Francis set to play despite apparent concussion against England

There has, rightly, been much discussion about Tomas Francis’ participation this week. The tighthead was strangely allowed to return during Wales’ defeat to England after an HIA despite displaying clear indicators of concussion after taking a bang to the head, appearing to require the support of the uprights to remain on his feet.

Professor John Fairclough, a leading surgeon who has previously worked with the Welsh Rugby Union, believes it would be “a grave mistake” if Francis is allowed to play France, but it appears the prop may retain his place in the starting side.

[9 March 2022 13:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A start for Jonathan Davies?

Wayne Pivac is also said to have been mulling a midfield alteration. Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin’s partnership has impressed in Wales’ last two outings, but against a French side with plenty of threats, Pivac may opt to recall Jonathan Davies to the starting side. The 33-year-old could replace Tompkins, which would be tough on the Saracens centre.

[9 March 2022 13:23 · Luke Baker]

Wales team news

Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau look set to be reunited in Wales’ back row for the Six Nations clash against France. They have not played a Test match together since Wales saw their Grand Slam dream ended by France in Paris almost a year ago.

No 8 Faletau returned to international action after a lengthy injury lay-off when Wales lost to England at Twickenham 10 days ago. And flanker Navidi, who was out for five months due to a shoulder problem, could now follow suit after making his comeback in Cardiff’s United Rugby Championship game against Ulster last week.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, meanwhile, is understood to be considering a role at blindside flanker for Navidi’s Cardiff colleague Seb Davies.

Pivac names his team today at 2pm for the Principality Stadium encounter, with Faletau a key figure as Wales try to halt unbeaten France’s title and Grand Slam bid.

Taulupe Faletau and Josh Navidi are set to be reunited in Wales’ back row against France (PA)

[9 March 2022 13:16 · Lawrence Ostlere]

France line-up vs Wales

France coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday named the following team to face Wales at the Principality Stadium in the Six Nations on Friday:

First XV: 15-Melvyn Jaminet, 14-Yoram Moefana, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Jonathan Danty, 11-Gabin Villiere, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont, 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Anthony Jelonch, 6-Francois Cros, 5-Paul Willemse, 4-Cameron Woki, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16-Peato Mauvaka, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Mohamed Haouas, 19-Thibaud Flament, 20-Dylan Cretin, 21-Maxime Lucu, 22-Thomas Ramos, 23-Matthis Lebel

[9 March 2022 13:08 · Lawrence Ostlere]

France without Penaud for trip to Cardiff

News from the French camp is that wing Damian Penaud and lock Romain Taofifenua have 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 says 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.

And that means fears have been allayed about captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont after he suffered a knock during training on Tuesday.

Victory for France in Cardiff would leave them one win away from guaranteeing a first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010.

Damian Penaud (centre) scored two tries for France in the 36-17 win over Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

[9 March 2022 13:02 · Lawrence Ostlere]

What are the remaining fixtures?

This weekend is the penultimate round of men’s Six Nations matches, before the finale on Saturday 19 March. Here are the remaining games of this year’s championship:

ROUND 4

Friday 11 March

Wales vs France, 8pm GMT (Principality Stadium, Wales)

Saturday 12 March

Italy vs Scotland, 2.15pm GMT (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)

England vs Ireland, 4.45pm GMT (Twickenham Stadium, London)

ROUND 5

Saturday 19 March

Wales vs Italy, 2.15pm GMT (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

Ireland vs Scotland, 4.45pm GMT (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

France vs England, 8pm GMT (Stade de France, Paris)

[9 March 2022 12:55 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Wales team announcement

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.