Francis named on bench for Wales

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named on the bench for Wales ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Sunday.

Prop Francis, 23, will win his eighth international cap is he is used from the bench in Dublin.

Also included in the Welsh starting XV is former Exeter winger Tom James, who is back in the international fold for the first time in over five years.

James, who has got the nod over Alex Cuthbert on the wing, enjoyed two seasons with the Chiefs before returning back to former club Cardiff Blues at the start of this season.
Wales team: Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Tom James (Cardiff Blues); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, Capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).