Warren Gatland has dropped Justin Tipuric and Tom James from the Wales team to play France on Friday and suggested it is a horses for courses selection.

Tipuric has been put back on the bench with Dan Lydiate coming into the team at blindside flanker and captain Sam Warburton switching back to his regular No.7 slot in place of Tipuric.

James has been left out of the squad altogether, with a recall for his fellow Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert.

A third change was forced on Gatland through injury with Bradley Davies replacing Luke Charteris, who has a knee problem, in the second row.

Gatland – whose side have begun the Six Nations with a draw in Ireland and a home victory over Scotland – said: “We have made a couple of changes, one injury enforced with Luke (Charteris) missing out with a knee injury, but Bradley (Davies) deserves a starting spot as well so it’s a good opportunity for him.
“We have made two other personnel changes with Alex (Cuthbert) and Dan (Lydiate) coming into the starting team.  They have trained well and will suit the game France will potentially bring.
“We initially thought we would have to wait until later in the week to have a final update on injuries, but we know where we are earlier than expected and have told the squad, hence announcing today as well.
“It’s set to be another huge Six Nations weekend. France come to Cardiff unbeaten in the campaign so far and impressing under Guy (Noves).  We are looking to continue our unbeaten run and will be looking for another step up after the victory over Scotland.”
Cuthbert, who has scored 15 tries in his 40 outings for Wales, comes back into the starting line-up for James and is the only change in the backline.

The half-back and midfield partnerships remain the same with Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar named at scrum-half and fly-half respectively and Jamie Roberts partnering Jonathan Davies in the centre.
It is an unchanged front-row with Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee packing down for a third consecutive match together.
Bradley Davies, who won his 50^th test cap against Ireland in the opening match of the Championship, comes into the second-row to start alongside Alun Wyn Jones.

There are two personnel changes amongst the replacements with Jake Ball coming into the match day 23 alongside Tipuric.  Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins and Tomas Francis continue to provide the front-row cover and the backline replacements remain the same with Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe all named.

Wales team to play France:
Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).