France have won each of their last two matches against Wales
(Picture: ES Composite)France and Wales clash tonight in a hugely important Six Nations showdown in Paris.
Triple Crown winners Wales head into the eagerly-awaited meeting at the Stade de France knowing that victory would secure a second Grand Slam in three years and 13th overall to take them level with England.
Wayne Pivac’s side have shown huge improvements from a dismal 2020, taking advantage of red cards to beat both Ireland and Scotland before ruthlessly punishing England for their ill-discipline in Cardiff and thrashing sorry Italy.
This game had looked likely to be an epic Grand Slam decider, with France thumping Italy and squeezing past Ireland.
However, their home meeting with Scotland was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak and has now been officially rescheduled for March 26, while Les Bleus - who have not won the Six Nations since 2010 - came unstuck in a dramatic 23-20 defeat by England last weekend.
Wales would claim the Grand Slam this weekend with another win, while a draw or two bonus points would be enough to take the title.
But that aforementioned postponed visit of Scotland makes things tricky in terms of all the permutations if France come out on top.
More on that to come!
France vs Wales date, time and venue
France vs Wales is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
The match will be played behind closed doors at the Stade de France due to government guidelines relating to Covid-19.
How to watch France vs Wales
TV channel: France vs Wales is being shown live on BBC One and S4C, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm on both channels.
Live stream: Those with a valid TV license can also catch the action online via the BBC Sport website or iPlayer.
France vs Wales team news
Pivac makes one change to the Wales side that smashed Italy 48-7 in Rome, with the fit-again Adam Beard back in the second row alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones and Cory Hill dropping to the bench.
Scrum-half Tomos Williams is also back among the replacements following a hamstring injury.
France are unchanged despite that demoralising defeat by England, with head coach Fabien Galthie making three alterations to his bench.
Out go Damien Aldegheri, Cyril Caseaux and Cameron Woki and in come Uini Atonio, Swan Rebbadj and Arthur Vincent.
France vs Wales lineups
France: Brice Dulin; Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon (c), Gregory Alldritt
Replacements: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Uini Antonio, Swan Rebbadj, Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Serin, Romain Ntamack, Arthur Vincent
Wales: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo
France vs Wales head to head history and results
France wins: 46
Wales wins: 51
Draws: 3
Last meeting: France 38-21 Wales (Autumn Nations Cup warm-up, October 24, 2020)
France vs Wales prediction
Improved Wales deserve to be on the cusp of yet another Grand Slam, yet it is hard to deny that there have been notable elements of luck along the way.
This is an extremely talented France team marshalled by arguably the best player in the world on current form in scrum-half Antoine Dupont and they will be itching to bounce back from that loss at Twickenham and end their decade-long wait for a Six Nations crown.
This should be an explosive showdown not short on quality or fireworks, but we’re backing France to ruin Wales’ Grand Slam hopes.
France vs Wales betting odds and tips
France to win: 2/5
Wales to win: Between 14/5 and 3/1
Draw: 31/1
First try scorer: Louis Rees-Zammit, 5/1
Odds via Betfair Exchange (subject to change). Click here to find out more.
