Warren Gatland drops George North and Nick Tompkins in huge Wales shock

Wales have surprisingly left out centres Nick Tompkins and George North for Sunday’s game against France, with the coaching staff insisting that both players have not been dropped and “firmly believe in what we are doing”.

Warren Gatland, the Wales head coach, has opted for Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts in midfield in a stunning move, given Tompkins and North are two of the more experienced players in a young Welsh side and North in particular looked impressive during parts of Wales’ loss to Ireland in Dublin two weeks ago.

Mike Forshaw, the Wales defence coach, explained this was the right game against France to see Roberts in action, with the centre winning his second cap.

“I don’t think [Tompkins and North] have been dropped. They’ve had two games together and they have done extremely well,” said Forshaw.

“They were disappointed, And I’d have been disappointed if they weren’t. Selection day is always tough because you want to be in the team, you want to play for Wales, you want to drive into the stadium at the weekend.

“I think it’s an opportunity to have a look at Joe Roberts, who was unlucky not to go to the World Cup. We just felt that if we were going to have a look at him, this was the game to do it.

“Nick and George have been spoken to and neither of them are injured. They firmly believe in what we are doing.

“There is always a risk in every selection but we’ve got to see Joe playing and we’re going to see him. We’ve decided to make that switch this week and we’ve got to back him - Joe’s pretty brave so we won’t die wanting.”

Other changes made by Wales see Ryan Elias start at hooker, while captain Dafydd Jenkins moves to blindside flanker and Will Rowlands starts in the second row.

Wales team to play France

C Winnett (Cardiff); J Adams (Cardiff), J Roberts (Scarlets), O Watkin (Ospreys), R Dyer (Dragons); S Costelow (Scarlets), T Williams (Cardiff); G Thomas (Ospreys), R Elias (Scarlets), K Assiratti (Cardiff), W Rowlands (Racing 92), A Beard (Ospreys), D Jenkins (Exeter, capt), T Reffell (Leicester), A Wainwright (Dragons).

Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), C Domachowski (Cardiff), D Lewis (Harlequins), A Mann (Cardiff), M Martin (Cardiff), G Davies (Scarlets), I Lloyd (Scarlets), M Grady (Cardiff).