Wales boss Warren Gatland has removed centers Nick Tompkins and George North and moved captain Dafydd Jenkins from the second to third row, making four changes to the team that faces France on Sunday (4 p.m.) in Cardiff as part of the Six Nations Tournament.

Jenkins’ change, for his first selection to the second row, is explained by the return as starter of Will Rowlands, who will be associated with Adam Beard.

In the front row, hooker Ryan Elias replaces Elliot Dee, who moves to the bench, while Joe Roberts will earn his second cap at center in place of George North, and Owen Watkin is selected in place of Nick Tompkins .

“There are some changes to the squad this week as some players deserve an opportunity,” Gatland said. France will be a physical and difficult challenge to face on Sunday, particularly in attack. We know they’re going to start strong and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good defensive line speed and keeping our discipline. We want to put in an 80-minute performance.” Sam Costelow will again start at fly-half, while experienced scrum-half Tomos Williams will be named ahead of Gareth Davies, who is among the substitutes. Cameron Winnett has retained his full-back position and will form a back trio with wingers Josh Adams and Rio Dyer.

Props Gareth Thomas and Keiron Assiratti retain their places and will play alongside Elias, while Tommy Reffell and number eight Aaron Wainwright will form the third row with Jenkins. Wales narrowly lost to Scotland (26-27) and England (14-16) earlier in the Six Nations, but was outclassed in his last outing in Ireland, where he lost 31-7. Wales have lost their last five meetings with France, but previously won eight of their nine meetings with the Blues.

The Wales XV against France:

15-Cameron Winnett, 14-Josh Adams, 13-Joe Roberts, 12-Owen Watkin, 11-Rio Dyer, 10-Sam Costelow, 9-Tomos Williams; 1-Gareth Thomas, 2-Ryan Elias, 3-Keiron Assiratti, 4-Will Rowlands, 5-Adam Beard, 6-Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 7-Tommy Reffell, 8-Aaron Wainwright

Finisseurs : 16- Elliot Dee, 17-Corey Domachowski, 18-Dillon Lewis, 19- Alex Mann, 20-Mackenzie Martin, 21-Gareth Davies, 22-Ioan Lloyd, 23-Mason Grady