France v Wales - teams and prediction
ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Fabien Galthie’s in-form France starts this year’s Six Nations by hosting struggling Wales on Friday with the head coach fully aware of the challenge of winning the title.
After welcoming Warren Gatland’s Wales to Paris, France faces three away trips including a visit to two-time defending champions Ireland before a home game against Scotland to finish the tournament on March 15.
France’s results have vastly improved since Galthie took over in 2020, but their only trophy came with the Six Nations Grand Slam three years ago, despite a golden generation of players including superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont.
“It’s quite a long competition but it’s also like a sprint, which is quite astonishing, so it’s like a 400-metre race,” Galthie told reporters.
“For these reasons, the opening game, whoever you face, remains special, and one to be approached with caution and motivation.”
France are considered serious contenders for the title after their unbeaten November series, which included a thrilling win over New Zealand, putting to bed the hangover from the 2023 World Cup.
Gatland is looking to avoid a record-extending 13th straight Test defeat when he takes his side to a sold-out Stade de France.
“I think there is more pressure on them because of the expectation from their fans,” Gatland said.
“They expect them to go out there, throw the ball around, score tries and entertain everyone.
“From my point of view, sometimes teams can go and overplay, particularly early on, try things and make mistakes and this gives you opportunities.”
* (Article continues below the Dupont preview …)
Dupont and Ntamack are back together
Galthie has had to deal with injuries to flank Charles Ollivon, wing Damian Penaud and centre Gael Fickou, but has been able to pick Dupont and Romain Ntamack at halfback for the first time since August 2023.
Ntamack has been out of Test contention with injuries since then but returns to partner Dupont for the 28th time at international level, a France record.
Galthie’s faith in the Toulouse pair goes against the French tradition of changing the personnel in the key decision-making position.
“I think I was part of the usual France halfback merry-go-round, which was often changed after defeats and made responsible for defeats,” former scrumhalf Galthie said.
“It was very hard, back in the day, to keep the shirt.
“We’re trying to build something more solid and to show that behind the trust there’s a reality and not just something fleeting that could disappear in one match.
“Antoine and Romain need to feel at ease, free.”
New Zealander Gatland has made 11 changes from Wales’ last game, a heavy home defeat to South Africa in November, which capped off the team’s first year without a Test win since 1937.
Cardiff’s Ben Thomas moves from centre to flyhalf, having started just seven games in his whole career in the influential position.
“He was comfortable about taking on that responsibility,” Gatland said.
“His last game there for Cardiff was at 10. He’s comfortable defending there. He can handle that.”
Gatland has also picked uncapped 21-year-old Ospreys flyhalf Dan Edwards on the bench, who only made his senior club debut in November 2023.
“There are young players who we know less, who play in a Welsh rugby system that is less bright than the past,” Galthie said.
“On paper, we have the impression they’re experiencing a difficult transition, they’re on a significantly poor run.”
Wales’ hopes of a first win over France since 2019 will be hindered by the presence of Olympic gold medallist Dupont.
Since his international debut in 2017, the 28-year-old has scored a try or provided an assist every 71 minutes of Test rugby.
“He’s not the biggest in the world when you’re standing next to him but he’s incredibly quick, he’s powerful, he’s got great vision,” Gatland said of Dupont.
“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a captain.”
Players to watch
For France: Galthie’s first line-up for this year’s Six Nations is highlighted by the return of poster boy Antoine Dupont, who also captains the side – after missing last season’s tournament due to his Olympic Sevens commitments which ended in him winning a gold medal. Dupont, 28, is partnered at halfback by Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack in five changes from Les Bleus’ last game, November’s win over Argentina. Ntamack, 25, makes his first Test appearance since August 2023 having suffered two long-term injuries. Among the other changes is Theo Attissogbe coming in on the right wing owing to an injury to Damian Penaud. On the opposite flank is Penaud’s fellow Bordeaux-Begles flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has scored 16 tries for club and country this season. In midfield, Pierre-Louis Barassi replaces the injured Gael Fickou and last year’s Six Nations skipper Gregory Alldritt is at No.8 instead of Ollivon. Alexandre Roumat comes in for Flament at lock.
For Wales: Experienced backs Josh Adams and Liam Williams will return. The return of wing Adams and fullback Williams, who both missed large chunks of 2024, is a major boost for Wales, who finished bottom of the table in last year’s tournament. Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, who captained the side in the 2024 Six Nations, is also back in the team after undergoing knee and shoulder surgery. Williams and Adams, who have won 151 Wales caps between them and played for the British and Irish Lions, bring vital experience to the Gatland’s line-up. Williams, who did not play in last year’s tournament due to Japanese club commitments, last played for Wales against Australia in July. Adams has not featured for Wales since the 2024 Six Nations. Former England prop Henry Thomas will make his first Wales start in Paris. The Scarlets tighthead has won four caps as a replacement since switching allegiance to Wales in 2023. Wales coach Gatland has selected a back row of Aaron Wainwright at No 8 alongside James Botham and captain Jac Morgan. Saracens centre Nick Tompkins is recalled, partnering Owen Watkin in midfield. Cardiff’s Ben Thomas fills the flyhalf role with uncapped Ospreys No.10 Dan Edwards on the bench.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction
@rugby365com: France by 14 points
Teams
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumant, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 James Botham, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray.
Date: Friday, January 31
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.15 (20.15 GMT & UK time)
Expected weather: Cloudy and chilly. An evening shower in spots; otherwise, clearing. High of 5°C and down to -2°C by kick-off.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
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