Francis in Welsh squad to face England

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By Mark Stevens
8/3/2016

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named in the Welsh squad for Saturday's RBS Six Nations Championship clash with England at Twickenham (4pm).

The 23-year-old tight-head, who has come off the bench in all three of Wales' Six Nations games so far, is poised to win his 11th international cap in what many are calling the Championship decider.

Head coach Warren Gatland has named an unchanged starting XV for the clash, but there are three changes on the bench with Paul James, Luke Charteris and Rhys Webb all added.

James replaces Gethin Jenkins who continues to recover from a calf injury but has been re-integrated back into training. Charteris has come through training positively following his knee injury and returns to the side and Webb, who was called into the squad earlier this week, is also named as scrum-half cover.

“We’ve named a pretty experienced side for Saturday, no changes in the starting team, I thought they did pretty well against France and we are looking for them to do a job for us this weekend,” said Gatland.

“We have a couple of guys back from injury on the bench, Luke Charteris, Paul James and Rhys Webb and that is a bonus. There is a huge amount to play for on Saturday and it will go a long way to deciding the Six Nations.

“We are happy with the blend of our side. We have a very experienced back five in the pack, blended with the youth up from and that balance is really pleasing. It’s great to have Rhys back in the squad. He has been training really hard and brings a lot of energy and experience to the team.”
Wales team to play England: Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).