AARON Wainwright has been dropped for Wales’ Six Nations showdown with France on Saturday (kick-off 4.45pm), with Dragons team-mate Ross Moriarty replacing him at blindside.

The only other change to Wayne Pivac’s side following the disappointing 24-14 defeat to Ireland in Dublin sees Gareth Davies given the number nine jersey ahead of Tomos Williams.

Dragons prop Leon Brown is among the replacements, while fellow Rodney Parade forwards Cory Hill and Elliot Dee remain sidelined through injury.

France travel to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium having not won in the Welsh capital since February 2010.

Moriarty’s recall to the starting XV sees him form an all-British & Irish Lions back row with former Dragons star Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric.

Jake Ball and captain Alun Wyn Jones continue in the second row with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis named in the front row.

Davies will line-up at half-back alongside Dan Biggar, who has passed all the necessary return to play protocols following a concussion in Ireland.

When announcing the team, the Welsh Rugby Union said all of Biggar’s testing had been undertaken with a “globally renowned concussion expert” reviewing his return.

Hadleigh Parkes and Nick Tompkins partner in the midfield with Josh Adams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny comprising the back three.

“Gareth was unavailable for round one and came off the bench last time out, so he is full of energy and we are looking forward to him bringing his game on Saturday,” said head coach Pivac.

“Ross has impressed off the bench so far and brought a lot of energy and communication as well, so he deserves an opportunity to start.

“We have changed around the second rows on the bench. We are looking at creating competition there and Will (Rowlands) has trained well, and we are looking forward to seeing him out on that stage.

“We want to build on what we have done so far and are looking to be more accurate with what we do and improve on that aspect.

“Saturday is going to be a packed Principality Stadium. We know the atmosphere will be electric and it is set for a big day in Cardiff.”

On the bench, Ryan Elias, Rob Evans and Brown provide the front row cover with uncapped second row Rowlands and flanker Wainwright completing the forward contingent.

Williams, Jarrod Evans and Johnny McNicholl provide the backline cover.

Wales: L Halfpenny; G North, N Tompkins, H Parkes, J Adams; D Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, K Owens, D Lewis, J Ball, A W Jones (capt), R Moriarty, J Tipuric, T Faletau. Reps: R Elias, R Evans, L Brown, W Rowlands, A Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, J McNicholl.