Here’s our France Vs Wales preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Friday’s Six Nations opener at the Stade de France.
France Vs Wales Preview
This year’s Guinness Six Nations gets underway on Friday night under the lights in Paris.
France host Wales at the Stade de France, with Les Bleus heavily favoured to secure a comfortable victory.
Fabien Galthié’s side are among the tournament favourites, buoyed by the return of some huge names in this year’s squad.
Wales, meanwhile, are on the back of a 12-game losing streak – the worst in their history.
According to the best UK rugby betting sites, France are 1/12 favourites for Friday’s game, with Wales massive 25/1 underdogs.
Historically, Wales have edged this fixture, winning 51 times to France’s 50.
But France have won the last six meetings between the two sides, and are expected to level up the head-to-head record this weekend.
Wales’ last win over France was a 20-19 nail-biter at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
That was Wales’ third straight victory against the French, and formed part of a run of eight wins in nine matches from 2012-2019.
But the tide has since turned drastically, and few would bet on Wales to end their losing streak in Paris on Friday.
For a more detailed breakdown of the historic record between the two sides, check out our France Vs Wales stats piece here.
Friday’s France Vs Wales game kicks off at 20:15 GMT, and can be watched live on ITV1.
France Vs Wales Team News
France:
👋🔥 Vendredi, vos Bleus lanceront 𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐢 𝐝𝐞𝐬 #𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 au @StadeFrance ! 🇫🇷🏴#XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV #FRAGAL pic.twitter.com/vUaNiNhSyd
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) January 29, 2025
The French side was already intimidating, but the return of Toulouse half-back pairing Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack has them back to near full strength.
Dupont is back from his Olympic gold-winning run with France 7s, while Ntamack has shaken off his long injury problems.
In the pack, Uini Atonio adds his 150kg bulk to the front row, an area France will look to target given Wales’ lack of depth.
Gregory Alldritt provides bags of experience at eight, with Charles Ollivon ruled out for the season.
Lock Thibaud Flament has a minor muscle problem, and Bordeaux winger Damien Penaud is not yet fit from his toe injury.
Penaud’s injury sees Theo Attissogbe come in, while Gael Fickou’s broken thumb means he misses out in midfield, replaced by Yoram Moefana.
Wales:
🚨 𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂 🏴
Here is your Wales 2️⃣3️⃣ for our @SixNationsRugby opener 🆚 @FranceRugby on Friday night at the Stade de France, 20:15 KO! 🔥👇#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 29, 2025
For Wales, coach Warren Gatland has gone for experience where possible.
There’s a return to the squad for British & Irish Lions duo Liam Williams and Josh Adams, who have more than 150 caps between them.
Last year’s captain, Dafydd Jenkins, starts at lock alongside Will Rowlands. In the front row, Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas earn their first starts, with Gareth Thomas at loosehead.
The back row is an area of strength for this young Welsh squad, with captain Jac Morgan starting at seven.
He is joined by Aaron Wainright and James Botham, with Gatland confirming veteran Taulupe Faletau is not yet fit from a knee issue suffered earlier in January.
Ben Thomas starts at fly-half ahead of Dan Edwards – who will make his debut if he comes off the bench.
At scrum-half, Tomos Williams partners Thomas, while Nick Tomkins and Owen Watkin make up the midfield.
France Vs Wales Confirmed Lineups
France:
Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barrassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Wales:
Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
France Vs Wales Prediction
The odds are stacked heavily against Wales, with good reason. France rarely lose at home even in their worst periods, and this French side have been one of the top teams in the world for several years now.
The returning duo of Dupont and Ntamack proved their ruthless ability for Toulouse recently, who put 80 past Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup.
Wales are in perhaps their worst shape in living memory, and will be desperate for a long-awaited win.
But even the most optimistic of supporters will not be expecting a victory in Paris.
If France play to even 50% of their potential, we can expect a very one-sided game.
Prediction: France 37-15 Wales
