Six Nations 2026: Areas for Wales to improve ahead of France match

Given Wales’ woeful recent form, only a few players can be sure of their places in the team that faces France on Sunday.

“We have to change some players because some of these players have been given too many opportunities and they are simply not good enough at international level,” former Welsh rower Emyr Lewis told BBC Radio Cymru’s Freequest lessons.

“I don’t like to mention people’s names, but without a doubt the balance in midfield is not right, so I will definitely bring in bigger players like Owen Watkin. We know how good he is defensively and we have to have a strong defense against France.”

“The back row, again there is no balance there, we have to bring in bigger players especially against such a huge French group. I would definitely bring in Ollie Cracknell.

“We have to look at bringing in big, strong players who will challenge the French team.”

Former Wales center Scott Williams is another who would like to see changes to his old position.

“As a former centre, Ben Thomas hasn’t had the best of games if I’m honest,” Williams said on Scrum V.

“Eddie James could be a real weapon for us, he’s a big man, but I looked at the stats and he’s had three campaigns.

“I know that’s not all he is, that’s the way the game went. But in my eyes he’s 12. He needs to get on the ball, he needs to get Wales up the line. He’s 108kg, or whatever, he’s hard to stop.”

“I’d like to see Eddie James at 12. He should be 12. Whether Ben Thomas turns 13 or something, I think he’s a bit lost there.”

Rees also wants bigger, more physically imposing players to be selected.

“For me you need [wing or centre] Mason Grady W [prop] Rhys Carré on the pitch,” he said in the same podcast.

“Otherwise France might get out of the game early, and it becomes difficult when you try to bring them on too late, as we saw against England.”