rance tackle Wales within the penultimate Six Nations fixture in Paris, nonetheless with slim hopes of efficiently defending their title.
Eire will declare a second Grand Slam in 5 years and first ever in Dublin in the event that they beat England within the late kick-off on Tremendous Saturday, however a uncommon mistake from the Males in Inexperienced might be to the glory of Les Bleus, who kick off some two-and-a-quarter hours earlier on the Stade de France.
For Fabien Galthie’s facet to pip their Irish counterparts to a second straight triumph on the final, they would want to beat Wales with a bonus level and hope that Eire are overwhelmed by England with out choosing up a shedding bonus level.
Per the official Six Nations web site, they might additionally do it in the event that they handle to shut the factors distinction, if France win with a bonus level and Eire lose with a bonus level, or if France win with no bonus level and Eire lose with no bonus level.
France insist they’re centered on solely the duty at hand in opposition to Wales, with a slip-up from Eire in opposition to an England crew completely bereft of confidence having been smashed by 43 factors – their heaviest-ever Twickenham loss and third-largest anyplace on this planet – by their outdated rivals from throughout the Channel seeming extraordinarily unlikely at this stage.
Galthie’s males had been totally spellbinding in London in spherical 4, combining ferocious rucking and defensive nous with dreamy dealing with, footwork and velocity regardless of the moist circumstances in a seven-try blitz that can have raised confidence ranges after a considerably inconsistent defence of their first Grand Slam since 2010 and a house Rugby World Cup looming massive on the horizon within the autumn.
They are going to be enormous favourites to brush apart Wales, who’ve endured a torrid match each on and off the pitch however ought to keep away from a primary Six Nations wood spoon for 20 years after a bonus-point 29-17 win in Italy final trip. Warren Gatland has recommended that this would be the final fixture on this competitors for not less than eight of his senior gamers as he targets a squad refresh.
France vs Wales date, kick-off time and venue
France vs Wales is the center sport on Six Nations Tremendous Saturday, happening after Scotland vs Italy at Murrayfield however earlier than Eire battle England in Dublin.
The match takes place on the Stade de France in Paris on March 18, with a kick-off time of two:45pm GMT.
Easy methods to watch France vs Wales
TV channel: Within the UK, France vs Wales is being broadcast reside on ITV, with protection starting at 1:55pm.
Stay stream: Followers may catch the sport reside on-line by visiting the ITV web site or ITVX app.
The match can be obtainable to observe by way of Welsh-language TV channel S4C and S4C Clic on-line.
Stay protection: Observe all of the motion reside by way of Normal Sport’s devoted match weblog.
France vs Wales crew information
France present two modifications from the facet that humiliated England at Twickenham, with first-choice tighthead prop Uini Atonio again from suspension rather than Dorian Aldegheri.
The opposite alteration to the beginning XV is within the second row, the place the injured Paul Willemse is changed by Romain Taofifenua. Montpellier lock Bastien Chalureau comes onto the bench.
It’s one other raft of modifications from Gatland to proceed the theme of Wales’ largely wretched match, six in complete.
Alun Wyn Jones is again within the second row rather than Dafydd Jenkins, who drops to the bench, whereas Aaron Wainwright makes his first look of the 2023 Six Nations rather than the injured Jac Morgan at flanker.
Uini Atonio returns from suspension for France in opposition to Wales within the Six Nations
/ PAThe fit-again Dan Biggar is again at fly-half rather than Owen Williams, whereas Nick Tompkins and George North are paired collectively in a new-look midfield on the expense of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady and Louis Rees-Zammit will get the nod at full-back with Liam Williams sidelined.
Rhys Webb retains maintain of the scrum-half jersey forward of Tomos Williams after incomes man-of-the-match honours on his first Six Nations begin since 2017 in Rome, whereas Leigh Halfpenny is match sufficient for the bench after extra damage strife.
Vastly-experienced quantity eight Taulupe Faletau is handed his a hundredth senior Wales cap by Gatland.
France vs Wales lineups
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (c); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Flament, Taofifenua, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Chalureau, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana, Jaminet.
Wales XV: Rees-Zammit; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Biggar, Webb; W Jones, Owens (c), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacements: Roberts, Thomas, Lewis, D Jenkins, Reffell, T Williams, O Williams, Halfpenny.
France vs Wales face to face (h2h) historical past and outcomes
Wales received eight of 9 conferences with France between 2012-19, however the tables have firmly turned since then.
The French shall be gunning for a fifth consecutive victory on this fixture on Saturday, having triumphed 13-9 in a gruelling battle in Cardiff 12 months in the past.
France wins: 48
Wales wins: 51
Attracts: 3
France vs Wales prediction
France nonetheless have a slight probability of defending their title, however they have to not let attentions drift to begin dreaming of an unlikely England upset in Dublin.
The main target has to remain on Wales, who’ve been dreadful for a lot of the Six Nations however did get that confidence-boosting win in Rome final weekend.
France inflicted England’s heaviest-ever house defeat at Twickenham in spherical 4
/ REUTERSFrance had been simply phenomenal at Twickenham and even when they play with solely half the depth and ferocious tempo right here, it ought to nonetheless be sufficient to triumph comfortably.
France to win by 17 factors.
France vs Wales match odds
France to win: 1/20
Wales to win: 11/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to alter).