Roberts named in Wales side to face France

Rob Lloyd News

Scarlets centre Joe Roberts will win his second Test cap when Wales take on France at the Principality Stadium on Sunday (15:00).

The 23-year-old Burry Port product will make his Six Nations debut in Cardiff, one of four personnel changes to Warren Gatland’s starting XV.

Roberts is joined by fellow Scarlets Ryan Elias and Sam Costelow in the run-on side with Ioan Lloyd and Gareth Davies on the replacements’ bench.

Captain Dafydd Jenkins is selected at blind-side flanker with Will Rowlands making his first start of the tournament alongside Adam Beard in the second row.

Gatland said: “There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity.

“It’ll be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday particularly up front. We know they will start hard and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We’re looking for an 80 minute performance.

“We’re excited to be back at home for our last two matches and looking forward to getting out in front of a passionate Welsh crowd this weekend.”

Tîm Cymru v Ffrainc – Stadiwm Principality – Sul y 10fed o Fawrth am 3pm

Yn Fyw ar S4C a’r BBC

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps); 14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 57 caps), 13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 1 cap), 12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 37 caps), 11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 17 caps); 10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 10 caps), 9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 56 caps), 1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 28 caps), 2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps), 3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps), 4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 31 caps), 5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 54 caps). 6. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 15 caps) Captain / Capten, 7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 16 caps), 8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 46 caps)

Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 49 caps), 17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps), 18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 55 caps), 19. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps), 20. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 1 cap), 21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 75 caps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets – 5 caps), 23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps).