Warburton out of France rugby match

CARDIFF (AFP) –

Wales’ captain Sam Warburton is interviewed in Auckland on October 13, 2011. Warburton has been ruled out of the Six Nations international away to France on Saturday with a ‘stinger’ injury.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has been ruled out of the Six Nations international away to France on Saturday with a ‘stinger’ injury, it was announced Thursday.

Openside flanker Warburton suffered the blow, which normally affects the shoulder, in last week’s 30-22 first round defeat by Ireland in Cardiff that dented Grand Slam champions Wales’ hopes of a successful title defence.

Ryan Jones was named as captain in a team announced by Wales interim head coach Rob Howley on Thursday.

Jones came in at blindside flanker in place of Aaron Shingler, with openside Justin Tipuric filling in for Warburton on the other side of the back-row.

The only other change to the starting XV beaten by Ireland saw Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard replace Matthew Rees.

Pre-tournament favourites France will also be looking to return to winning ways after a shock 23-18 loss to Italy in Rome on Sunday.

They too will be without their captain last week after lock Pascal Pape was ruled out through injury.

Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir, losing finalists France’s skipper at the 2011 World Cup, has been restored to the captaincy with Toulon’s Jocelino Suta taking Pape’s place in the second row.

Meanwhile Suta’s club-mate Mathieu Bastareaud has been given a start in the centres by France coach Philippe Saint-Andre in place of Florian Fritz.

Wales (15-1)

Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Ryan Jones (capt); Ian Evans, Andrew Coombs; Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Lou Reed, Aaron Shingler, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams