Henry puts faith in Williams

Rhys Williams will inject speed into Wales' back line

Graham Henry has signalled his attacking intent against France by restoring Cardiff full-back Rhys Williams to a starting role.

Williams has suffered a crisis of confidence this season that saw him replaced in the number 15 shirt by Llanelli's Stephen Jones for the opening Six Nations match against England.

An injury to Jones saw Williams return in the draw against Scotland and then dropped to the 'A' team for the postponed match against Ireland that was claimed by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

However, there has been a marked improvement in Williams' game at club level in the past month and Henry has decided that the speedy youngster's counter-attacking threat outweighs any lingering defensive frailties.

France struggled in Rome against the pace out wide of the Italy backs and Williams can bring the same threat to bear against Bernard Laporte's team in the Stade de France.

Plenty to shout about: Cooper is on the bench

Bath scrum-half Gareth Cooper is named among the replacements, having only returned for his club after a two month inury lay off against Harlequins at the weekend.

Hungry

Henry has taken a more conservative approach with his wings, where Gareth Thomas plays instead of Llanelli flyer Mark Jones, who drops from the bench to the 'A' side.

Jones' club colleague Dafydd James continues in the other wing berth on the left.

Elsewhere the team has a settled look with the Cardiff half-back axis of Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins inside the all-Swansea midfield of Scott Gibbs and Mark Taylor.

There are no changes in the pack, with Ian Gough keeping the Newport flag flying in the engine room and providing an athletic, work-hungry lock pairing with Swansea's Andy Moore.

France dominated last year's encounter in Cardiff but Henry's side produced a famous 34-33 victory in Paris two years ago.

The Wales coach will be hoping that lightning can strike twice.

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Wales team v France: R Williams (Cardiff), G Thomas (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), S Gibbs (Swansea), D James (Llanelli), N Jenkins (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff), D Morris (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Young (Cardiff,capt), I Gough (Newport), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), M Williams (Cardiff), S Quinnell (Llanelli).
Replacements: A Lewis (Cardiff), C Anthony (Swansea), C Quinnell (Cardiff), G Lewis (Swansea), G Cooper (Bath), S Jones (Llanelli), A Bateman (Northampton)