Tomos Williams to make 6 Nations debut for Wales

Associated Press
The team coaches pose during a photocall for the launch of the Rugby Six Nations tournament in London, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The coaches from left: Scotland's Gregor Townsend, Italy's Conor O'Shea, Ireland's Joe Schmidt, Wales' Warren Gatland, England's Eddie Jones and France's Jacques Brunel. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Tomos Williams will make his Six Nations debut for Wales in Friday's tournament opener against France.

The scrumhalf, who played in six test matches for Wales last year, has been preferred to Gareth Davies for the game in France. Davies has shaken off a thigh strain and he will be among the replacements.

Wales coach Warren Gatland announced two other changes to the side that beat South Africa in November, with prop Rob Evans and flanker Josh Navidi both gaining call-ups.

Evans takes over from Nicky Smith, who has been trying to recover fitness, and Navidi returns after missing this season's autumn series because of injury.

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Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty. Reserves: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.

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