Wales name Josh Navidi to starting line up for game against France

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has made four changes to the starting line up for the fourth round Six Nations clash against France.

Navidi, who returned from an injury and made a successful comeback for Cardiff will make his first appearance since last year's Six Nations and is named at openside flanker with Seb Davies coming at blindside forming back row combination alongside Taulupe Faletau at number eight.

Navidi will replace Taine Basham, who is out of the matchday squad while Davies has swapped places with Ross Moriarty, who is now on the bench.

Jonathan Davies comes in to partner Owen Watkin in the centre while the final change sees Gareth Thomas starting at loosehead prop with Wyn Jones joining the replacements along with Dillon Lewis and Louis Rees-Zammit.

“Josh is a fantastic player and has played well for us in the past. He’s come back before straight back into the side so having 80 minutes under his belt for Cardiff we think that’s enough for him and we look forward to him being back out there bringing that experience," said Pivac.

"He’s a very good player and has played at this level on many occasions so that’s going to be great for us.

“Seb at six just gives us a little bit more size. It helps the lineout, but also in the wider channels where he often runs he’s got the skillset to trouble a few defenders out wide.

“I think Gareth made a really big impact for us last week as did a number of players and so he gets to start. Wyn will finish the game this time as opposed to starting it."

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (c) 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Seb Davies, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas

Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ross Moriarty, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit