Wales used to find it hard to win in Paris and didn’t manage it for 24 years after 1975. But Dai Sport columnist Phil Bennett believes they will claim a third successive victory there on Saturday. I’m backing Wales to beat France in Paris on Saturday and for a number of players to book their places on the Lions tour. That’s not to say I think it is going to be in any way an easy victory for Rob Howley’s side. It won’t be. My guess would be a narrow win by the odd score, but I just feel this Wales team has re-discovered its hard edge.

Wales have named an unchanged team to face France in Paris on Saturday, where Ken Owens will win his 50th cap. The Wales hooker is part of the same 23-man squad that beat Ireland for the final match of the Six Nations. Coach Rob Howley – whose team could finish anywhere between second and fifth in the tournament depending on the last day results – has said his players deserve to retain their places.

Wales have kept Taulupe Faletau on the bench at Murrayfield, but Peter Jackson says it’s still a mystery why Rob Howley didn’t leave him there for far longer against England. During the wash-up over the raging tidal wave of emotions unleashed in Cardiff last week, Wales found it necessary to deny that Ross Moriarty’s withdrawal had been pre-planned.

Snubbed Taulupe Faletau has been challenged by Rob Howley to prove his world class stature against Scotland on Saturday. The Bath No.8 has been told to make a bigger impact off the bench in the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield than he managed during the late stages of the defeat to England.

The inclusion of George North – and the rejection of Taulupe Faletau – means Wales take on Scotland in bonny mood, argues Robin Davey. But he says Felatau’s stay in the bench suggests Howley knows that’s where he should have remained against England. Wales fly to Edinburgh on Thursday – to confront rejuvenated Scotland head-on at Murrayfield on Saturday – in a rare state of optimism. Encouraged by a vastly improved performance against England, even if denied victory almost at the death, interim coach Rob Howley was able to name a side showing just the one change.

George North has been restored to the Wales team to face Scotland, but Taulupe Faletau remains on the bench. Coach Rob Howley made an early team announcement on Wednesday – 24 hours ahead of his schedule – and has opted to bring back fit-again North, but keep faith with Ross Moriarty at No.8 in preference to Faletau.

Taulupe Faletau has revealed he fears for his place in the Wales team after the emergence of Ross Moriarty. The Lions and Bath No.8 missed the opening match of the Six Nations against Italy through injury, which opened the door to Moriarty.

Wales forwards Taulupe Faletau and Luke Charteris have both been ruled out of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opening round match against Italy in Rome. The Bath pair should, however, be fit for next week’s Principality Stadium appointment with Six Nations title holders England.

Taulupe Faletau will be eased back into action by Bath on Friday night, eight days before he could return for Wales. The Lions No.8 has not played since the opening day of the season when he injured knee ligaments on his Aviva Premiership debut.