Liam Williams sustained a facial injury against England
(Action Images via Reuters)
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.
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.
Number eight 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. PA
Taulupe Faletau and Josh Navidi are set to be reunited in Wales’ back row against France
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)
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:
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)
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)
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.
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