Jones meanwhile returns to the side after a thumb injury and will take Aaron Shingler’s place at blindside flanker with fellow Osprey Justin Tipuric taking Warburton’s openside berth.

Interim coach Rob Howley’s third change also comes in the pack with Richard Hibbard returning from injury to replace former skipper Matthew Rees at hooker.

Jones will lead the side for a record 30th time and Howley is backing the 31-year-old to galvanise a Welsh side still smarting from their opening-day defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

“It’s disappointing to have Sam ruled out but Ryan comes in as captain with a wealth of experience,” said Howley – who’ll be only too aware that Wales have not won in France since 2005.

“Playing France in Paris is always a huge match but we have worked hard as a squad this week and want to deliver a performance we know we are capable of.

“We didn’t start the tournament the way we wanted to on the weekend but Saturday is a chance for us to go out and show what we can do.

“We know that we will have to start well, the way we finished the game against Ireland.”

WALES

Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues)
George North (Scarlets)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
Mike Phillips (Bayonne)

Gethin Jenkins (Toulon)
Richard Hibbard (Ospreys)
Adam Jones (Ospreys)
Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Ian Evans (Ospreys)
Ryan Jones (Ospreys) Captain
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Replacements
Ken Owens (Scarlets)
Paul James (Bath)
Craig Mitchell (Exeter)
Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
James Hook (Perpignan)
Scott Williams (Scarlets)