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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

Sir Clive Woodward says France will beat Wales today - and it may not be as close as people think

Former England coach and ITV Six Nations pundit Sir Clive Woodward has predicted France will beat Wales in Cardiff today.

Woodward has been impressed by the French under Fabien Galthie and believes the visitors will triumph in what could be the game of the tournament so far.

Many are predicting a very  tight contest with just one or two points in it, but Woodward thinks the difference may well be more.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Woodward said: "After being off the pace mentally against Italy, France will be revved up today but they must be clever.

"Defence coach Shaun Edwards, returning to the scene of his greatest triumphs alongside Warren Gatland, will be demanding the same discipline and intensity as in the first half against England.

"My concern with Wales is that if France contain them initially they might lack firepower and run out of ideas. The Welsh scrum has also struggled at times.

"I think France are going to win what could be the game of the tournament by six points, possibly more."

He did however point to a weakness on the French bench, which he says almost cost them victory against England in the opening round.

Elsewhere, Woodward thinks Ireland will just pip England by a point on Sunday due to Eddie Jones' "baffling" selections and he's back Scotland to win by eight or nine points out initally.

You can see what our writers are predicting for the Wales game here.

As for the bookies, Wales are favourites because of home advantage at 1/2, with France at 15/8. The draw is 18/1.

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