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Francis to start against the Scots

francis train 4.jpg
Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named in the Wales starting line-up to face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday. Picture: Huw Evans Agency

By Mark Stevens
11/2/21

Tomas Francis has been named in the Wales side side to take on Scotland in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash at Murrayfield (4.45pm).

The Exeter Chiefs prop keeps his place in a Welsh starting line-up that shows five changes from that which kicked off their campaign last weekend with victory over Ireland in Cardiff.

Francis - who will win his 54th Test cap - is named in the same front-five as last weekend, packing down alongside Wyn Jones and Ken Owens in the front-row with Adam Beard continuing to partner captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.

Behind them, Aaron Wainwright comes into the back row to line up alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, while Gareth Davies is another start, forming the half-back pairing alongside Dan Biggar.

Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin form a new-look midfield with Liam Williams returning to the side to line-up alongside Louis Rees-Zammit and Leigh Halfpenny.

“We were pleased to kick the tournament off with a victory last weekend and to be heading to Scotland with a win behind us,” said head coach Wayne Pivac.

“We continue to build and to move forward and it is great to do that from a position of winning.It is a quick six-day turnaround this week but we are looking forward to getting back out there.

“We have picked up a couple of injuries but we see it as more of an opportunity for those coming into the side.

“We have to feel extremely disappointed for Josh (Macleod) who we selected to start and to win his first cap only to be ruled out later that day through injury.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND

1. Wyn Jones (31 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (78 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (53 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (22 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt, 144 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (81 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (82 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (58 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (88 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (67 Caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (9 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (26 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (5 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (94 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (33 Caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (18 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (13 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (6 Caps)
20. James Botham (3 Caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (2 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (5 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (*Uncapped)

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