The 11 Wales Six Nations player in action this weekend as four stars go head-to-head in English Premiership

Around a third of Wales' Six Nations squad are in action this weekend

Wayne Pivac will be watching from behind the sofa this weekend as 11 of his Six Nations squad are in action for their domestic sides this weekend.

The Wales boss will be hoping all his players come through unscathed as he looks towards France's visit to the Principality Stadium a week Saturday.

During fallow weeks of the Six Nations, Wales players that are based in England must return to their parent club and be available for selection.

Pivac is under no obligation to release players back to the Welsh regions, however he did decide to release seven players to get game time.

Owen Watkin will start at outside centre for the Ospreys against Ulster as he returns from a knee injury. A good performance could see him force his way into the Wales reckoning after Nick Tompkins' difficult day at No.13 in Dublin.

Elsewhere, Adam Beard will start at second row for the Ospreys. Young hooker Dewi Lake, who was also released by Wales, has not been selected.

Aaron Shingler has gone straight into the Scarlets' side to face Edinburgh in Llanelli and will start at blindside flanker, loose-head prop Rob Evans is on the bench.

Second row Seb Davies has been selected on the bench for the Cardiff Blues' trip away to face Connacht.

Taine Basham was also released by Wales but he won't see any action this weekend after the Dragons' game against Benetton was postponed.

As for the England-based contingent, Rhys Carre and WillGriff John will be scrummaging against each other at Allianz Park on Saturday having been named to start for Saracens and Sale Sharks respectively.

No.8 Taulupe Faletau is on the bench for Bath's trip to face Worcester as he continues to clock up the minutes having recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Leicester Tigers winger Jonah Holmes starts on the wing against Wasps this weekend. The uncapped Will Rowlands will be on the opposing team, starting at second row.

Louis Rees-Zammit is starting on the wing for Gloucester this evening as they welcome Exeter Chiefs to Kingsholm.

Unsurprisingly, Dan Biggar has not been selected by Northampton Saints as he continues to go through a graduated return to play following his failed HIA in Dublin.

Liam Williams, who is yet to play since injuring his ankle at the Rugby World Cup, is not involved for Saracens and neither is centre Nick Tompkins.

Wales players in action this weekend...

Louis Rees-Zammit (GLOUCESTER v Exeter Chiefs, Friday night)

Rhys Carre (SARACENS v Sale Sharks, Saturday)

WillGriff John (Saracens v SALE SHARKS, Saturday)

Taulupe Faletau (Worcester v BATH, Saturday)

Jonah Holmes (LEICESTER TIGERS v Wasps)

Will Rowlands (Leicester Tigers v WASPS)

Owen Watkin and Adam Beard (OSPREYS v Ulster, Saturday)

Seb Davies (Connacht v CARDIFF BLUES, Saturday)

Aaron Shingler and Rob Evans (SCARLETS v Edinburgh, Saturday)