Francis gets nod for Wales

By Mark Stevens
9/2/17

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been rewarded for his impressive display off the bench for Wales last weekend by being named in the starting line-up for Saturday's crunch RBS Six Nations clash with England in Cardiff.

The 24-year-old was used as a second half replacement for fellow tight-head Samson Lee as the Welsh kicked off their campaign with victory over Italy in Rome.

Francis is one of two changes coach Rob Howley has made to his winning formula with fellow Rob Evans also being promoted to loosehead in place of Nicky Smith.

"There is huge excitement in the camp ahead of Saturday for what is set to be a massive RBS 6 Nations encounter," said Howley. "Both Rob and Tomas made a big impact off the bench last weekend and deserve their opportunity to start."

After fitness tests on Thursday morning, Howley was able to name an unchanged back line with fly-half Dan Biggar and winger George North recovering from knocks to start in Cardiff.

"We have had a short turnaround but Dan and George have worked hard with the medics and we are pleased to be able to name them," added Howley.

Nicky Smith and Samson Lee, the starting props in Rome, drop to the bench alongside Taulupe Faletau, hoping for his first action since suffering a knee injury playing for his club on Christmas Eve.

WALES SIDE TO FACE ENGLAND

15 Leigh Halfpenny (RC Toulon)
14 George North (Northampton Saints)
13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12 Scott Williams (Scarlets)
11 Liam Williams (Scarlets)
10 Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
9 Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
1 Rob Evans (Scarlets)
2 Ken Owens (Scarlets)
3 Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs)
4 Jake Ball (Scarlets)
5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys)
6 Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues)
7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester0

Replacements

16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
17 Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
18 Samson Lee (Scarlets)
19 Cory Hill (Newport-Gwent Dragons)
20 Taulupe Faletau (Bath)
21 Gareth Davies
22 Sam Davies (Ospreys)
23 Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)