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Preview: Wales v France

Noves, who took over from Philippe Saint-Andre after a disastrous World Cup that saw France humiliated by eventual winners New Zealand in the quarterfinals, has guided Les Bleus to narrow wins over Italy (23-21) and Ireland (10-9).

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Warren Gatland's Wales team were held to a 16-all draw by the Irish before seeing off Scotland 27-23.

With England also unbeaten under new coach Eddie Jones and set to entertain Ireland on Saturday, this third of five rounds of matches could be crucial to deciding the victor of the Six Nations championship.

Gatland was handed a blow when the outstanding Luke Charteris was ruled out with a knee injury, the Racing 92 lock's place taken by Bradley Davies.

The New Zealander made two other changes to the side that beat Scotland, with wing Alex Cuthbert and flank Dan Lydiate drafted into the run-on team.

Meanwhile, in a positional switch, Wales captain Sam Warburton moves to openside flank from blindside, with Justin Tipuric dropped to the bench.

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Behind the scrum, centre Jonathan Davies has been given the all-clear after missing French club side Clermont's Top 14 match against Castres last weekend because of a groin problem.

"France come to Cardiff unbeaten in the campaign so far, and impressing under Guy [Noves]," said Gatland.

"We are looking to continue our unbeaten run and will be looking for another step up after the victory over Scotland."

France lost the services of wings Teddy Thomas and the uncapped Marvin O'Connor for Friday's clash, an evening kick-off in the Welsh capital's closed-roof stadium.

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Both sustained injuries back on Top 14 duty between internationals, the demands of the unrelenting French league also seeing skipper and hooker Guilhem Guirado pressed into action for Toulon.

The French federation was forced into a quick, rather embarrassing u-turn after calling up Samoa-born David Smith as a wing replacement, only to discover that the Castres back had played for the New Zealand Sevens team back in 2008, thus making him ineligible for France.

Smith's free running would have suited an increasingly fluid France team that, while not racking up big scores in their opening two games, has at least been willing to throw the ball around as the players slowly gel together.

Fullback Maxime Medard, back in favour under former Toulouse coach Noves, praised the new coaching set-up for allowing more spontaneity.

"Of course after two wins we're more relaxed in training," said Medard.

"That apart, what I believe is different to previous years is that the players are really taking responsibility for the style of play: we're not waiting to be told what to do, we try to speak out about things we agree or disagree with."

For France, Friday's match will bring back painful memories as it was the setting for their record 13-62 thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks last October. 

And France's last clash with Wales there two years ago ended in a 6-27 defeat.

Stade Francais wing Djibril Camara will face a baptism of fire as he was named for his debut match, one of five changes Noves made from the side that edged out Ireland.

Maxime Machenaud replaces Sebastien Bezy at scrumhalf, while lock Paul Jedrasiak relegates Yoann Maestri to the bench, and hard-nosed flank Antoine Burban starts, his club form for Stade Francais rewarded, having last won a cap on the June 2014 tour of Australia.

Rabah Slimani, whose appearance off the bench was a turning factor in the win over Ireland, starts in the front row alongside fellow prop Jefferson Poirot and hooking skipper Guirado.

The replacements bench also includes flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, the 50-time capped Montpellier back who was not selected for the World Cup and has just come back from a leg injury.

Players to watch:

Preview: Wales v FranceFor Wales: Lock Bradley Davies will have important shoes to fill in the second row. He comes in for the injured Luke Charteris and Wales will be expecting him to bring some grunt and aggression in the physical exchanges and continue where Charteris left off in the line-outs two weeks ago against Scotland. Centre Jamie Roberts was awesome against the Scots with his physical approach on attack and defence and it will be interesting to see if he can do it against the French as well. Also keep an eye out for George North, who is one of the best wings in the world. If he is given the space, he will cause havoc in the French defence.

For France: Fullback Maxime Médard has a new lease on life under new coach Guy Noves. The 29-year-old is full of confidence to try new things under his new coach and this could be a dangerous element for the Welsh. Scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud has played second fiddle to Sébastien Bézy in the French team so far, but he has now been given an opportunity against the Welsh. Machenaud has been fantastic for Racing 92 in the Top 14 and if he can replicate that form on Friday, then he could make flyhalf Jules Plisson's job much easier. Another player that will be in the spotlight is wing Virimi Vakatawa. The Preview: Wales v FranceFijian-born Sevens star still has a long way to go before he wins over some French fans. He is big, strong and fast and he could pose problems for the Welsh if he gathers momentum.

Head to head: In terms of key battles on the field, one should look no further than the two flyhalves. Dan Biggar is the more experienced of the two and has been Wales' kingpin in many games over the last few years with his tactical play. Jules Plisson has been solid for France in this year's Six Nations, but is still a bit inexperienced on the international stage. Both team's will also be looking for some of their bruisers to give them an edge in the physical stakes. This is where the two No.8s, Taulupe Faletau and Damien Chouly come in. They are both big ball carriers and are the go-to-men to cross the advantage line. The line-outs will be another area where there will be an intriguing battle. Alun Wyn Jones was awesome for Wales against Scotland in the set piece, but can he dominate his opposite number, Alexandre Flanquart, this weekend?

Recent results:

2015: Wales won 20-13, Paris

2014: Wales won 27-6, Cardiff

2013: Wales won 16-6, Paris

2012: Wales won 16-9, Cardiff

2011: France won 9-8, Auckland (WC semifinal)

2011: France won 28-9, Paris

2010: France won 26-20, Cardiff

Preview: Wales v France2009: France won 21-16, Paris

2008: Wales won 29-12, Cardiff

2007: France won 34-7, Cardiff

Prediction: Wales have the stronger and more experienced team and they should win by at least 12 points

Teams:

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.

France: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Virimi Vakatawa, 13 Maxime Mermoz, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Djibril Camara, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Antoine Burban, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Alexandre Flanquart, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Vincent Pelo, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Yoann Maestri, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 François Trinh-Duc, 23 Gaël Fickou.

Date: Friday, February 26

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Kick-off: 20:05 GMT

Expected weather: There will be a passing shower or two passing shower or two and a high of seven. However, the roof might be closed

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant Referees: JP Doyle (England), Luke Pearce (England)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com

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