British & Irish Lions Liam Williams and Ross Moriarty have both been included in Wales’ starting XV to take on France in Paris on Friday night.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his 23 for the Round One clash, with captain Alun Wyn Jones included to make his 49thappearance in Rugby’s Greatest Championship.
Jones lines up in the second row alongside fellow Osprey Adam Beard, with Josh Navidi returning from injury to start in the back row alongside Justin Tipuric and Moriarty.
Tomos Williams will make his first Championship appearance at scrum half, lining up alongside regional teammate Gareth Anscombe at fly-half.
“We are looking forward to kicking off the Six Nations and kicking off our 2019 campaign as a whole,” commented Gatland.
“We come into the game on an impressive run of results but we know how tough it will be to face France in Paris in the tournament opener.
“It will be a huge contest but we are excited going into it. We have a great deal of experience across the team and on the bench and we want to kick things off well on Friday.”
In the front row Rob Evans and Tomas Francis pack down alongside Ken Owens, who becomes Wales’ most capped hooker, making his 61st appearance for his country.
Scarlets duo Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies continue their partnership in midfield with Josh Adams, George North and Williams comprising the back three.
Wales, who finished second in the Championship in 2018, face France in Paris on Friday before travelling to Rome to play Italy the weekend after.
Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Samson Lee provide Wales’ front-row replacements, with Dragons pair Cory Hill and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent.
The experience continues on the bench with Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin providing the backline cover.
France also named their team for the Round One clash today, with uncapped Romain Ntamack in at centre and half-backs Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez reunited for the first time since the 2015 Championship.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) 14. George North (Ospreys) 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) 11. Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) 10. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) 9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)
1. Rob Evans (Scarlets) 2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) 3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) 4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (c) 6. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) 8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) 17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) 18. Samson Lee (Scarlets) 19. Cory Hill (Dragons) 20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) 21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) 22. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) 23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
