**Jones Makes Six Changes For Japan-France**

Tecfai Editorial Team

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Post on Nov 09, 2024

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Jones Makes Six Changes For Japan-France

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash against France.

The Welsh are looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat to Fiji, and Gatland has opted to freshen up his side in a bid to secure their first victory of the tournament.

Key Changes

Here's a breakdown of the changes made to the starting XV:

• Owen Williams replaces Gareth Anscombe at fly-half.
• Louis Rees-Zammit returns on the wing in place of Alex Cuthbert.
• Josh Navidi starts at blindside flanker, with Jac Morgan moving to the openside.
• Taulupe Faletau is back in the back row, replacing Tommy Reffell.
• Sam Wainwright starts at lock, with Adam Beard moving to the bench.
• Nicky Smith replaces Dillon Lewis at prop.

A Need for Improvement

Gatland admitted that his team need to improve significantly if they are to challenge France. "We know we need to be better," he said. "We haven't played to our potential yet, but I'm confident that we can turn things around."

The Welsh will need to be at their best to overcome a French side who were impressive in their opening-round victory over New Zealand. The French are considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, and will be looking to make a statement against Wales.

A Crucial Match

This match is crucial for both teams' World Cup ambitions. A win for Wales would give them a much-needed boost, while a defeat would make their qualification for the knockout stages more difficult.

With both teams looking to prove a point, this Saturday's encounter promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Stade de France.