Wales coach Steve Tandy is set to recall Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins and Leicester forward Olly Cracknell for Sunday's Six Nations game against France in Cardiff. Hawkins is expected to start at inside centre, while Cracknell's physicality earns him a place in a reshuffled back-row. These are the sole changes to the starting XV that suffered a heavy defeat at Twickenham.

Tandy is resisting mass upheaval despite Wales's desperate form, having lost their last 12 Six Nations matches stretching back to March 2023. The selection focuses on specific attributes: Hawkins's partnership with Eddie James at regional level and Cracknell's work-rate to counter France's power. Former players argue this addresses the balance issues seen against England.

France arrive as significant favourites following their opening win over Ireland. Wales must match Les Bleus's formidable physicality at the contact area, a point emphasized by analysts. With a six-day turnaround to their next home game against Scotland, Wales's immediate task is a performance that ends their losing streak, not future planning.