France are just two wins away from a Six Nations Grand Slam and continue their quest for the title in Wales tonight.
Fabien Galthie’s hugely impressive side are chasing a first title since 2010 and have a home match against England to look forward to on the final weekend, with tonight’s trip to Cardiff their final challenge on the road.
After brushing aside Italy and battling past key rivals Ireland, ruthless France claimed an emphatic 36-17 bonus-point victory over Scotland at Murrayfield last time out to maintain their 100 per cent record.
They will be favourites to continue that run against a Wales team that remain without a host of experienced players due to injury.
The defending champions battled valiantly after a slow start and pointless first half against England at Twickenham, even pushing for an unlikely victory in the closing stages thanks to three second-half tries but ultimately falling short in a 23-19 loss.
Wayne Pivac’s men had previously bounced back from a demoralising opening defeat in Dublin to edge out Scotland on home soil in round two.
Wales vs France date, kick-off time and venue
The only Friday night fixture on this year’s Six Nations schedule, Wales vs France is set for an 8pm GMT kick-off tonight, March 11.
The match will take place under the lights at what is sure to be an atmospheric Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How to watch Wales vs France
TV channel: In the UK, Wales vs France is being broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm.
Live stream: Fans can also check out the action as it unfolds online via the BBC Sport website or BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: Standard Sport will also be offering live updates on Friday evening through out dedicated match blog.
Wales vs France team news
Covid-19 cases forced France coach Galthie into some last-minute changes as he named his team for this contest on Wednesday afternoon.
Lock Romain Taofifenua and wing Damian Penaud both tested positive, with the latter’s absence meaning Yoram Moefana will switch onto the right wing as Gabin Villiere returns from injury on the opposite flank.
France could be forced into further alterations if a couple of coronavirus cases accelerates into an outbreak.
“We were notified this morning that they were positive so we had to make last-minute changes,” Galthie said on Wednesday. “We’re getting ready to make other changes.”
In a boost for the visitors, reigning World Player of the Year Antoine Dupont has been passed fit after an arm issue.
As for Wales, Seb Davies and Josh Navidi join Taulupe Faletau in a new-look back row for Friday night’s match.
Navidi had been out for almost five months with a shoulder injury, but returned to action for Cardiff against Ulster last week and has proved his fitness.
Jonathan Davies starts at centre, as Nick Tompkins misses out due to concussion, while Tomas Francis also starts despite calls for him to not be selected after he clashed heads with Owen Watkin at Twickenham.
Professor John Fairclough was one of those insisting it would be a mistake to play Francis, but Pivac has defended the decision.
Pivac said: “No disrespect to the gentleman you’re alluding to, we’re going with experts in concussion. I know he was a leading surgeon in another area of the body.
“We’re doing everything we can do. The players’ safety and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do.”
Wales vs France lineups
Wales XV: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, J Davies, Adams; Biggar (c), T Williams; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau.
Replacements: Lake, W Jones, D Lewis, Moriarty, J Morgan, Hardy, Anscombe, Rees-Zammit.
France XV: Jaminet; Moefana, Fickou, Danty, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont (c); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Haouas, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos, Lebel.
Wales vs France head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the 102nd meeting between these two nations. France have won 47 of the previous matches, and Wales 51... with three draws.
France have won each of the last three games, including a dramatic, last-gasp 32-30 triumph in Paris last March that denied Pivac’s side a Grand Slam.
Wales vs France prediction
Wales are missing a huge amount of experience, but still displayed their battling qualities against both Scotland and England.
A Friday night clash under the lights at the Principality will be a real occasion to savour and they will hope that passionate home crowd can help achieve an upset and derail France’s Grand Slam dreams.
However, Les Bleus just look too good as things stand, combining brute force with brilliant flair, guile, ingenuity and a ruthless edge as well as formidable strength in depth.
Their usual meltdown does not seem forthcoming this time. Away win.
France to win, by at least eight points.
Wales vs France betting odds
Wales win: 7/2
France win: 10/11
Draw: 25/1
Antoine Dupont first tryscorer: 10/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
