Wales team to play France: Leicester Tigers’ Olly Cracknell returns

Friday, 13 February 2026 at 09:01

byHarry Tovey

The Wales team to play France at Principality Stadium on Sunday has been announced as Olly Cracknell comes straight back into the starting XV.

Cracknell, who made his debut off the bench against Argentina, will make just his second start at international level, as the number eight is set to bolster a Welsh side which were thumped 48-7 last time out against England.

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Aaron Wainwright, who wore the eight jersey last weekend, starts on the blind-side as Alex Mann takes the helm at open-side in replacement of Josh Macleod.

Elsewhere, Joe Hawkins, who played at inside centre in two of Wales’ four autumn internationals, makes his return to the starting XV as he replaces Ben Thomas and joins clubman Eddie James as the centre pairing.

This may be seen as a bold move from Steve Tandy, as the 23-year-old has only worn the 12 jersey in his last two outings for regional side Scarlets, with the rest since November at outside-half.

One of those outings included facing Bordeaux Begles in the Champions Cup. There are also two changes in the forward pack, as Rhys Carré and Tomas Francis replace Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin, who both drop to the bench.

Speaking on the selection, head coach Tandy added: “Tandy said:

“There are a few changes for this week.

"A lot of it is based on who we are playing and then Olly Cracknell has done a full training week this week and also played really well in the autumn.

“We were bitterly disappointed with the performance last week. We've addressed it in meetings. The boys were open and honest around the fact that we didn't put ourselves on the game.

"We felt we played into England's hands a little bit and obviously the discipline was hugely disappointing. It's a massive lesson for us. It's something we need to correct and put more of our game out on the field on Sunday.”

On this being Wales’ first home game of the Six Nations Tandy added: "We’re excited to get back to Principality Stadium. We had four games in the autumn and the crowd was incredible.

"I know I've spoken a lot about the New Zealand game - the crowd, the energy it brought and the response from players. The supporters mean a huge amount to us, and they do inspire the players. Our aim on the weekend is to inspire the fans, too.”

Wales team to play France:

15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 36 caps)
14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Eddie James (Scarlets – 5 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 7 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 66 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 8 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 68 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens – 24 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 27 caps) captain
3. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 78 caps)
4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 27 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 62 caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 63 caps)
7. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 12 caps)
8. Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 2 caps)

Replacements:

16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 44 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 59 caps)
18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugbyn – 12 caps)
19. Ben Carter (Dragons – 15 caps)
20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 12 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 29 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 14 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)