Wales hooker withdraws from France clash

Wales suffered a major blow ahead of today’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against France in Cardiff when their experienced hooker Robin McBryde withdrew from the starting line-up.

Llanelli forward McBryde, capped 31 times, was forced to pull out because of a virus.

His place in the team was taken by Celtic Warriors’ Mefin Davies, who made his 16th Test appearance, while Huw Bennett took over on the bench.

Wales, having been beaten emphatically by Ireland in Dublin last time out, were certain to miss McBryde’s experience.

At 33, he has been one of their most reliable performers but Davies was a member of the Wales World Cup squad and was the obvious choice to replace him.

Wales: G. Thomas, R. Williams, Taylor, Harris, S. Williams, S. Jones, Cooper, I. Thomas, Davies, Jenkins, Cockbain, Owen, J. Thomas, Charvis, D. Jones.

Replacements: Bennett, B. Evans, Llewellyn, M. Williams, Peel, Sweeney, Shanklin.

France: Brusque, Clerc, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Elissalde, Marconnet, Servat, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Betsen, Harinordoqui, Lievremont.

Replacements: Bru, Crenca, Auradou, Magne, Yachvili, Rougerie, Heymans.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)