DRAGONS hooker Elliot Dee won’t lead Wales out for his 50th cap at Principality Stadium on Sunday after being given the role of impact sub for the Six Nations clash with France.

Warren Gatland, perhaps mindful of the six-day turnaround for a potential wooden spoon finale against Italy, has sprung some surprises for this weekend’s Cardiff encounter.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright and wing Rio Dyer start but Dragons teammate Dee drops to the bench despite having a strong campaign so far.

The 29-year-old from Newbridge, who turns 30 tomorrow, has impressed with his lineout work and was brought into the XV against England and Ireland after going well in the second-half fight back against Scotland.

Dee, who made his international debut against Georgia in 2017, will bring up a half-century of caps against the French but will do so from the bench after Ryan Elias was recalled to the starting line-up.

Gatland moves captain Dafydd Jenkins from lock to blindside flanker because of the return of former Dragons captain Will Rowlands to add some heft to the pack.

Scarlets centre Joe Roberts wins his second cap alongside Owen Watkin in midfield, with George North and Nick Tompkins missing out.

Gatland said: “There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity.

“It’ll be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday particularly up front. We know they will start hard and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We’re looking for an 80-minute performance.

“We’re excited to be back at home for our last two matches and looking forward to getting out in front of a passionate Welsh crowd this weekend.”

Dragons back rower Taine Basham misses out again, with his sole Six Nations outing a cameo against England at Twickenham, along with injured tighthead Leon Brown and full-back/fly-half Cai Evans.

WALES

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 57 caps)
13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 1 cap)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 37 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 17 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 10 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 56 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 28 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 31 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 54 caps)
6. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 15 caps) Captain / Capten
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 46 caps)

Replacements
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 49 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 55 caps)
19. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps)
20. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 1 cap)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 75 caps)
22. Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets – 5 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps)