Wales host France in the Principality on Friday 11th March. Kick off 8:00pm. Wales come into this game on the back of a 23-19 loss to England in Twickenham. A very mixed game for Wales as they started poorly and were 17-0 down but fought back with some brilliant rugby in the second half to almost complete the comeback.
The lineup for Wales has been changed this week with Navidi and Seb Davies coming into the back row showing Wales strength in depth in this area. Navidi came back last week for Cardiff after a 5 month injury and is now straight into the starting lineup for Wales. Jonathan Davies starts in centre with Nick Tompkins out with concussion.
Alex Cuthbert keeps his place on the wing and Louis Rees-Zammit is back in the squad on the bench. Wales will hope they can find consistency in this game which should be easier at home against a strong French side unbeaten so far and in good form. The odds are against Wales again for this game but the defending champions will hope they can stop France on the way to a grand slam and potentially their first championship win since 2010.
France come into this game off the back of a great 36-17 win against Scotland in Murrayfield securing the bonus point win and now look on course to win the Six Nations and will be confident of winning in Wales and setting up a grand slam game against England in their last game. France have been hit with a Covid outbreak just before this game leading to changes having to be made for France. Lock Romain Taofifenua and wing Damian Penaud both tested positive.
France will be worried about further positive tests ahead of the game as these have come so close to the game. France have been playing brilliant rugby in this Six Nations with Antoine Dupont being instrumental in creating so many attacking opportunities.
He is in the starting line up despite suffering an injury and is now fit to play. France will take confidence from beating Wales the last 3 times the sides met. This includes last year’s six nations final game where France secured a dramatic 32-30 win over Wales in France to stop Wales achieving a grand slam, however Wales still lifted the Six Nations title.
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.
