Lions prop back for Wales

2009 Lions tourist Adam Jones has been recalled to the Wales starting XV to face France in the RBS 6 Nations finale. [more]

Lions prop back for Wales

2009 Lions tourist Adam Jones has been recalled to the Wales starting XV to face France in the RBS 6 Nations finale.

Tight-head Jones returns from the elbow injury he suffered against London Irish in January to replace regional teammate Craig Mitchell who dislocated his shoulder in the narrow victory over Ireland.

Elsewhere teen sensation George North slots in on the left wing.  18-year-old North, who scored two tries on his debut against South Africa last November replaces injured wing Shane Williams.

Two-tour Lion Williams is ruled out of the trip to Stade de France with a knee injury and misses his personal swansong in the Championship with his international retirement pencilled in for the end of the season.

"We are going into the final round of the Championship in second place and still with a shot at the title," said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

"That's pleasing, but it is not good enough yet, we need to finish the job and win in France.

"That is the only element of this weekend we can control and it is vitally important that we maintain our focus on what will be one of the toughest challenges of this campaign."

Wales need to win in France and Grand Slam hopefuls England would have to lose in Ireland – with a 42-points difference swing in Wales’ favour – if Warren Gatland's men are to claim the 2011 Championship.

Nine further Lions join Jones in Gatland’s starting XV, while Wales also boast an experienced bench, which contains former Lions halfbacks Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones.

 

Wales starting XV to face France: L Byrne; L Halfpenny, J Roberts, J Davies, G North; J Hook, M Phillips; P James, M Rees (capt), A Jones, B Davies, A W Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton, R Jones.

*Bold denotes a former British & Irish Lion

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