Team News: Sam Warburton returns for Wales

Wales boss Warren Gatland has welcomed back captain Sam Warburton to the side to face France after recovering from a knee injury.

The 23-year-old flanker will replace Justin Tipuric, which is the only change in the squad for this weekend's fixture in Cardiff.

Warburton, who was expected to be declared fit for the match, initially suffered the injury blow during Wales's 19-12 win over England last month.

The Cardiff Blues player has only competed in 120 minutes of rugby during this year's Six Nations campaign.

Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets)