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Wales duo Williams and Baldwin miss France game


Liam Williams in action against ItalyFull-back Liam Williams played his 84th international for Wales when he faced Italy in Rome in March 2023

Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 18 March Kick-off: 14:45 GMT
Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website & app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app.

Liam Williams and Scott Baldwin have been ruled out of Wales’ final Six Nations game against France in Paris on Saturday.

Full-back Williams suffered a shoulder injury in the 29-17 win against Italy, while hooker Baldwin picked up a pectoral problem.

Ospreys centre Keiran Williams has also been released from the squad with hooker Sam Parry called up.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has 32 players training in Nice.

Gatland has based his squad in the south of France before travelling up to Paris this weekend. Wales are due to name their team on Thursday.

Cardiff full-back Williams scored an excellent try in the first half in Rome before picking up his injury while challenging for a high ball.

He had been included at full-back instead of Leigh Halfpenny who had worn the number 15 jersey against England.

Halfpenny was left out of the Italy side because he had tight hamstrings but is training with Wales, while Louis Rees-Zammit could be another option.

“I thought he (Liam Williams) was tremendous on the weekend, so brave,” said Wales attack coach Alex King.

“There were a couple of big moments, especially in the aerial battle, where I thought he really stood up for us.

“We have got some options at 15, and we are looking at those options now. We want to get the balance of the team right for Saturday.”

Baldwin, 34, came on as a replacement for captain Ken Owens against Italy before being forced off soon after. Owens returned to the field for the last few minutes.

Parry has replaced his fellow Ospreys hooker Baldwin with Dragons front-rower Bradley Roberts also in the squad.

Hooker Dewi Lake was ruled out of the tournament after picking up a knee injury against Leicester, while Ryan Elias is sidelined with an Achilles problem.

Toulon fly-half Dan Biggar has recovered from a back problem which ruled him out of the Italy match, while wing Josh Adams has been nursing a knee injury sustained in Rome.

There is still no room for Exeter forward Christ Tshiunza who started against Scotland and England but missed the win against Italy after not travelling out to Rome with the squad.

France lock Paul Willemse will miss the Wales game with a thigh injury suffered in their 53-10 win over England.

South-African born Willemse started France’s first four matches in the Six Nations.

Romain Taofifenua is the most obvious replacement after featuring regularly off the bench, although there is the option of moving flanker Charles Ollivon to lock.

WALES SQUAD

Forwards: Rhys Carre, Wyn Jones, Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens (capt), Sam Parry, Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Dafydd Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau.

Backs: Kieran Hardy, Rhys Webb, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams, Mason Grady, Joe Hawkins, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit.

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