Wales name team to play France at Principality Stadium

Head coach Steve Tandy has named the Wales team to play France in the second round of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations at Principality Stadium on Sunday 15 February (kick-off 3.10pm, live on BBC1 and S4C).

There are four personnel and two positional changes to the starting XV for the first home match of the 2026 Championship.

Loosehead prop Rhys Carre and tighthead prop Tomas Francis, who made his first Wales appearance since RWC2023 last weekend, are selected alongside captain Dewi Lake in the front row.

Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard continue in the second row.

In the back row, Olly Craknell is selected at No. 8 for his Guinness Six Nations debut. Aaron Wainwright moves to blindside flanker and Alex Mann moves to openside flanker.

Tomos Wiliams and Dan Edwards continue at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

Joe Hawkins, named at inside centre alongside club teammate Eddie James at outside centre, will make his first appearance of this Championship.

Louis Rees-Zammit is at fullback with Josh Adams and Ellis Mee on the wings.

There are five forwards and three backs among the replacements. Ryan Elias is in line to make his first appearance for Wales since the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. Loosehead prop Nicky Smith and tighthead prop Archie Griffin join Elias as front row cover for Wales.

Ben Carter and Taine Plumtree are the other forward replacements.

Jarrod Evans is included among the replacement backs along with Mason Grady and Kieran Hardy.

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Tandy said: “There are a few changes for this week. A lot of it is based on who we are playing and then Olly Cracknell has done a full training week this week and also played really well in the autumn.

“We were bitterly disappointed with the performance last week. We’ve addressed it in meetings. The boys were open and honest around the fact that we didn’t put ourselves on the game.

“We felt we played into England’s hands a little bit and obviously the discipline was hugely disappointing. It’s a massive lesson for us. It’s something we need to correct and put more of our game out on the field on Sunday.”

On this being Wales’ first home game of the Six Nations Tandy added:

“We’re excited to get back to Principality Stadium. We had four games in the autumn and the crowd was incredible.

“I know I’ve spoken a lot about the New Zealand game – the crowd, the energy it brought and the response from players. The supporters mean a huge amount to us and they do inspire the players. Our aim on the weekend is to inspire the fans too.”

Wales team v France– Guinness Six Nations

15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 36 caps)
14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Eddie James (Scarlets – 5 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 7 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 66 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 8 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 68 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens – 24 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 27 caps) captain
3. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 78 caps)
4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 27 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 62 caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 63 caps)
7. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 12 caps)
8. Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 2 caps)

Replacements | Eilyddion

16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 44 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 59 caps)
18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 12 caps)
19. Ben Carter (Dragons – 15 caps)
20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 12 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 29 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 14 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)