Francis on bench for Scots clash

By Mark Stevens
31/1/18

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named on the bench for Wales ahead of their NatWest Six Nations opener against Scotland in Cardiff.

The 25-year-old tight-head will win his 27th international cap if he takes to the field at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Francis misses out in the number three jersey to Samson Lee, who is one of 10 players from the Scarlets to have been named in the starying line-up by Head Coach Warren Gatland.

The New Zealander hopes his side can build on the Scarlets' European success, which has seen them reach the quarter-finals in Europe.

Gatland has opted for an all Scarlets back-line, with the exception of uncapped wing Josh Adams, and has selected Rhys Patchell at outside half in the absence of Dan Biggar.

He has also gone for an all Scarlets back-row, with Dragons lock Cory Hill partnering skipper Alun Wyn Jones at lock, while Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty make up the back-row.

"They got to the quarter-finals in Europe and there's a group of them who have come in with confidence and belief as a collective, which can definitely be a positive'" said Gatland. "Rhys Patchell has had a good season; he's started 11 out of his 14 games this season at No.10.

"Both he and Gareth Anscombe have trained particularly well over the last week. There was a healthy discussion about who we should pick but we decided both of them had put their hands up.

"We looked at combinations and those guys are familiar with each other's play. That speeded up our preparation a little bit and hopefully will get us off to a good start in the Six Nations."

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Adams, who has scored 13 tries for Worcester this season, will earn his first cap.

"The first-up game against Scotland this weekend is really important for us and this is a great chance for this group of players to get us off to a good start" said Gatland.

"We have been watching Josh (Adams) closely, he is top try-scorer in the English Premiership and has been going well and we are excited for him.

"Both Rhys (Patchell) and Gareth (Anscombe) have been training really well over the last couple of weeks. It was a tough call between them, Rhys has started most of his games for the Scarlets at ten, we are really happy with his form and the combination with Gareth at nine.

"We know what a quality player Ross is, it's great he is back and available and we are looking forward to seeing his explosive ball carrying on Saturday.

"For this opening game, we looked at a lot of combinations, especially the front-row. It is exciting to see Samson back playing well and the familiarity of the Scarlets front-row will be important."

Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis provide the front-row cover on the bench with Ospreys duo Bradley Davies and Justin Tipuric completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Watkin provide the back-line cover.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3 KO 14.15)

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (74 Caps)
Josh Adams (Worcester) (*UNCAPPED)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (52 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (34 Caps)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (10 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (113 Caps) CAPT
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (17 Caps)

Replacements:

Elliot Dee (Dragons) (2 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (26 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (52 Caps)
Aled Davies (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (2 Caps)