Six Nations: Wales looking to halt runaway French juggernaut

Friday night lights

France’s bid for their first Grand Slam in 12 years continues in Wales as Fabien Galthie’s pacey, punchy side head to the Principality Stadium for the only Friday night game of the 2022 Six Nations.  

Les Bleus are in pole position to clinch the title after taking three wins from three so far, thrilling fans with an intoxicating brand of rugby that combines bone-crunching power with trademark Gallic flair.      

Any doubts about their ability to get the job done away from Paris were emphatically answered in Round 3, when France demolished a Scotland side boasting a superb home record as they ran in six tries in a 36-17 win at Murrayfield.  

That followed home victories over Italy (37-10) and Ireland (30-24) and Galthie’s men are big favourites for Friday’s clash in Cardiff.

Home advantage

Welsh home advantage should never be underestimated – as they showed by edging to victory over a much-fancied Scotland side in Round 2 – but disappointing losses to Ireland (29-7) and England (23-19) either side of that result have dampened enthusiasm somewhat. 

The hosts have revenge as a motivation though, after France denied them a Grand Slam in the dying seconds of the 2021 campaign when Brice Dulin scored a try with the clock in the red to pinch a two-point victory in Paris.  

The Welsh now have a chance to return the favour by ending France’s bid for a first Grand Slam – and Six Nations title – since 2010.

However, Wayne Pivac’s side go into the game in fifth place and the odds reflect their underdog status against this all-conquering French side, with a Welsh home victory priced at 4.9.

France take a seven-match winning run with them to Wales on Friday night

Navidi returns

They will at least have in-depth knowledge of France defence coach Shaun Edwards, who left Wales for France after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, while there has been good news on the injury front with Josh Navidi back at openside flanker after a lengthy absence.

He’s joined in the back row by blindside Seb Davies, making his first appearance of the tournament, and number eight Taulupe Faletau, who marked his own return from injury against England.

Experienced centre Jonathan Davies and loosehead Gareth Thomas also come in, as Pivac makes four changes.

France have gone with continuity, with returning wing Gabin Villiere the only change from the win in Scotland, replacing Damien Penaud after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Biggar and better

Wales captain Dan Biggar will earn his 99th cap, and the fly-half was in no doubt about where his team need to step up.

“Physicality is a huge thing for us on Friday, you look at the way they dismantled Scotland last week, a lot of that was down to big carries, getting on top of the ball or being on top defensively and scoring from that. We’re going to need to match up physically,” he said.

That will be easier said than done against a French side on a seven-match winning run, in which they’ve taken down Australia, New Zealand, Georgia and Argentina in addition to their Six Nations victims so far.  

Pivac described them as “the in-form team in the world at the moment” for a reason and it’s hard to look past another confident win for this high-flying team.

The backing of a home crowd on Friday night will certainly be a boost for Wales, but they haven’t done enough in their opening three games to suggest they can halt this formidable French side’s momentum.    

The odds back that thinking, with a French victory priced as low as 1.28, so the Asian Handicap market may be the way to go for this one.

Recommended bet: France -8.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.83