Gatland rings the Welsh changes ... again
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales will field a new centre partnership of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin in Sunday’s Six Nations match at home to France.
The duo were named in coach Warren Gatland’s team announced Wednesday instead of the established midfield pair of George North and Nick Tompkins, who have 155 caps between them.
The Principality Stadium match will be Roberts’s first Six Nations start after the Llanelli centre made his Test debut against World Cup warm-up opponents England last year.
Meanwhile, Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins has been switched to blindside flank from lock, with Will Rowlands now partnering Adam Beard in the second row.
Up front, hooker Ryan Elias replaces Elliot Dee.
Wales are still searching for their first win of this Six Nations following defeats by Scotland, England and Ireland.
France, who have lost one, won one and drawn one so far in a mixed tournament, are due to name their side on Friday.
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas,
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Alex Mann, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
Date: Sunday, March 10
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15.00 (16.00 French time; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
