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6 Nations

Wales Make Two Changes for French Test

Wales have made only two changes to their starting line-up for this weekend’s crunch clash with France in the Six Nations

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(ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has made two changes to his starting XV for his side’s Six Nations game against France at the Principality Stadium on Saturday at 16 45.

There is a change a piece in the forwards and the backs from the 24-14 loss to Ireland, with Ross Moriarty comes into the pack, while Gareth Davies returns to the half-backs. 

The rest of the team remains the same with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis making up the front-row, with Jake Ball partnering captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second-row once again. 

Moriarty takes up a place as blindside-flanker, with Justin Tipuric on the openside and Taulupe Faletau completes the forward pack from No 8. 

Davies links-up with Dan Biggar in the half-backs, and they have Hadleigh Parkes and Nick Tompkins outside them in the midfield. 

Josh Adams stays on the left-wing after recovering from an injury picked up in the last game, with George North on the right and Leigh Halfpenny continues at full-back. 

There is plenty of talent on the bench for Pivac to call upon if needed with the likes of Ryan Elias, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams and Johnny McNicholl among the replacements. 

Wales are hoping to get their title defence back on track with a win at home to the French, but will know that they need a big performance with the French unbeaten in their opening two games and chasing a Grand Slam. 

Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below. 

Starting XV: 

15. Leigh Halfpenny (87 Caps)

14. George North (93 Caps)

13. Nick Tompkins (2 Caps)

12. Hadleigh Parkes (27 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (23 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (81 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (52 Caps)

1. Wyn Jones (24 Caps)

2. Ken Owens (75 Caps)

3. Dillon Lewis (24 Caps)

4. Jake Ball (44 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (136 Caps)

6. Ross Moriarty (43 Caps)

7. Justin Tipuric (74 Caps)

8. Taulupe Faletau (74 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Ryan Elias (11 Caps)

17. Rob Evans (37 Caps)

18. Leon Brown (8 Caps)

19. Will Rowlands (*Uncapped)

20. Aaron Wainwright (20 Caps)

21. Tomos Williams (18 Caps)

22. Jarrod Evans (5 Caps)

23. Johnny McNicholl (2 Caps)

6 Nations

Cian Healy signs short term extension

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Ireland and Leinster loosehead prop Cian Healy has signed a 1 year extension to his IRFU contract up to the end of the 2021/22 season.

Cian is Ireland’s most capped prop forward having lined out for Ireland on 107 occasions to date. He made his Ireland debut against Australia in November 2009 and was selected for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia making two appearances before injury ended his involvement.

Cian has won three Six Nations titles with Ireland and represented Leinster on 226 occasions winning four Heineken Cup titles during his career in blue.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,

“Cian has been a cornerstone of both the Irish and Leinster packs for over a decade. He has shown incredible resilience to come back from serious injury and perform at the highest level. Cian has a lot to contribute to Irish Rugby and we are delighted that he has signed on for another year.”

Cian Healy, commented,

“My drive for success at both Leinster and Ireland is as strong as ever. I am lucky enough to currently be part to two teams with the same mentality which is special and I look forward to another season of pushing boundaries and achieving our goals.

I’m loving my rugby as much now as I did at the very start of my career and looking forward to having our supporters back in stadia.”

Article from Irish Rugby

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6 Nations

O’Mahony Signs Contract Extension with IRFU

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Ireland and Munster backrow Peter O’Mahony has signed a two year extension to his IRFU contract keeping him at Munster until 2023.

Peter made his Ireland debut in the Six Nations against Italy in 2012 and has gone on to win 74 caps and captain his country on eight occasions. A Lions tourist in 2017, Peter captained the Lions in the opening Test of the series against New Zealand.

Peter has represented Munster on 141 occasions becoming captain of his province in 2013 at the age of 24.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,

“Peter has played a leadership role in Munster from an early age and is one of the senior leaders in the national squad. He is a competitor and passionate about playing for both Ireland and Munster.”

Peter O’Mahony, commented,

“It’s a huge privilege to sign on with the province and country I’ve grown up in and dreamed of playing for. It’s been something I’ve been very open about saying from day one and its very pleasing to be able to continue the journey for two more years.

There’s a huge amount of responsibility that comes with representing both teams and I understand how much pressure there is to deliver silverware, however, I am incredibly enthusiastic on the position and competitiveness of both Munster and Ireland and I look forward to hopefully contributing to both, to succeed in delivering that success on the pitch.”

Irish Rugby

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6 Nations

Sexton extends contract

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(Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Ireland and Leinster out-half Johnny Sexton has signed a 1 year extension to his IRFU contract up to the end of the 2021/22 season.

The 2018 World Player of the Year took on the Ireland captaincy in January 2020 and is one of Irish rugby’s most decorated players.

He has been central to both Ireland and Leinster’s success for over a decade following his international debut against Fiji in November 2009.

A two time Lions tourist in 2013 and 2017, Johnny has won three Six Nations titles with Ireland and four European Cups with Leinster. He has represented his provinces on 171 occasions scoring 1505 points.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,

“Johnny continues to show he has the quality and appetite to compete at the highest levels. He is playing an important leadership role with the Ireland squad and his insight and experience continues to be of great value to the group.”

Johnny Sexton, commented,

“I am really enjoying my rugby and I want to keep learning and adding value to both the Ireland and Leinster environments. I am enjoying the challenge of captaincy and the added responsibility that it brings. My appetite for success is the same as it ever was and the ambitions of both the Ireland and Leinster squads match my own.”

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