France vs Wales LIVE: Six Nations team news, line-ups and more ahead of fixture tonight
Follow live updates as France face a testing trip to Wales in the Six Nations on what is set to be an electric atmosphere at the Principality Stadium. Les Blues have the chance to move one game away from the Grand Slam but a Friday night clash under the lights in Cardiff will be a further test of their credentials. Fabien Galthie’s side have been outstanding so far, brushing aside Italy and Scotland and defeating Ireland in a thrilling match at the Stade de France to close in on a first Six Nations title since 2010.
Wales will hope for a response after they were unable to overturn England’s lead at Twickenham two weekends ago and Wayne Pivac’s side will be looking to avoid a third defeat in their Six Nations title defence, which was effectively ended following their defeat against England. The Wales head coach described France as the “most in-form team in the world” but the likes of England and Ireland will be hoping for an upset to take the title into the final week.
England face Ireland on Saturday and the winner of that match could profit in France slip up in Cardiff. An away victory, however, would see France hosting England in Paris on Super Saturday with the Grand Slam on the line. Follow for live updates from Wales vs France in the Six Nations below:
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Pivac admits Wales are facing world’s most in-form side
Wayne Pivac admitted this week that Wales will face “the in-form team in the world” when they tackle Six Nations opponents France.
While Wales’ hopes of a successful title defence were effectively ended by defeat against England last time out, France remain on course for Six Nations silverware and a first Grand Slam since 2010.
And the Wales head coach said ahead of tonight’s game: “Both sides want to play an entertaining brand of rugby and I think you have got the side at the moment who are probably the in-form team in the world in France.
“We certainly have had a couple of great games against them in recent times, so I think it will be a cracker.”
Wayne Pivac admits Wales are facing world’s most in-form side in France
France have swept aside all challengers this season with six successive wins
Wales vs France: Team news
France have suffered some late Covid disruption to their side, with wing Damian Penaud and second row Romain Taofifenua ruled out after positive tests. With Gabin Villiere fit to return to the side, Yoram Moefana swaps wings to fill the vacancy left by Penaud, while Taofifenua’s absence from the matchday 23 sees Fabien Galthie revert to a conventional 5-3 bench split, with young Toulouse flyer Matthis Lebel called in. Mohamed Haouas is set to make his first appearance of the tournament with the tighthead back available after receiving a suspended prison sentence for his role in a number of burglaries in Montpellier.
Galthie had a real injury scare on Tuesday when captain and irrepressible scrum-half Antoine Dupont took a blow to the biceps, but his withdrawal from training was described as precautionary. Gael Fickou has been struggling with the flu but has been named in the starting side.
France XV (1-15): Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio; Cameron Woki, Paul Willemse; Francois Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Gregory Alldritt; Antoine Dupont (c), Romain Ntamack; Gabin Villiere, Jonathan Danty, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana; Melvyn Jaminet.
Substitutes: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Thibaud Flament, Dylan Cretin; Maxime Lucu, Thomas Ramos, Matthis Lebel.
Wales vs France: Team news
Wales were boosted by the return to fitness of Josh Navidi during the fallow week, and the explosive, versatile back-rower steps straight into the starting side. He is opposite Seb Davies, the lock-cum-flanker having been handed the number six shirt as Wayne Pivac again looks at a different combination and balance in his back-row.
Gareth Thomas is set for just a second start in international rugby as Wyn Jones is demoted to a bench role, while Jonathan Davies adds plenty of experience and defensive steel to the midfield with Nick Tompkins unavailable after a concussion. Josh Adams and Tomas Francis have, however, been cleared to play after their own head knocks.
Wales XV (1-15): Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Seb Davies, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau; Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar; Josh Adams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Alex Cuthbert, Liam Williams.
Reserves: Dewi Lake, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Anscombe, Louis Rees-Zammit.
Wales vs France
Odds
Wales win: 39/10
Draw: 33/1
France win: 3/11
Prediction
This is beginning to feel more and more like the year this brilliant young French side announces themselves with a Six Nations crown. The Principality Stadium will be rocking for the first Friday night Six Nations fixture in Cardiff since 2019 and a Wales win should not at all be ruled out, but France have both the ability and mentality to keep their Grand Slam march on track. Wales 19-27 France
Wales vs France
When is Wales vs France?
The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT on Friday 11 March at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BBC One with coverage starting from 7.30pm. It will also be available to stream live and for free on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Wales vs France
Round Four of the 2022 Six Nations begins in Cardiff as Wales host championship favourites France at the Principality Stadium.
France will be hoping to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive ahead of a final round meeting with England in Paris.
Fabien Galthie’s side were outstanding at times against Scotland before the fallow week, while Wales will be hoping to bounce back form a narrow defeat to England.
There was plenty to encourage Wayne Pivac in how his side rallied at Twickenham but France will provide a significant challenge under the Friday night lights.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game:
Six Nations 2022: How to watch Wales vs France online and on TV
What channel is Wales v France on?
Good evening
Hello and welcome to tonight’s coverage of Wales vs France in the Six Nations, on what is set to be an electric atmosphere at the Principality Stadium. Les Blues have the chance to move one game away from the Grand Slam but a Friday night clash under the lights in Cardiff will be a further test of their credentials. Fabien Galthie’s side have been outstanding so far, brushing aside Italy and Scotland and defeating Ireland in a thrilling match at the Stade de France to close in on a first Six Nations title since 2010.
Wales will hope for a response after they were unable to overturn England’s lead at Twickenham two weekends ago and Wayne Pivac’s side will be looking to avoid a third defeat in their Six Nations title defence, which was effectively ended following their defeat against England. The Wales head coach described France as the “most in-form team in the world” but the likes of England and Ireland will be hoping for an upset to take the title into the final week.
England face Ireland on Saturday and the winner of that match could profit in France slip up in Cardiff. An away victory, however, would see France hosting England in Paris on Super Saturday with the Grand Slam on the line.
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