Key events
We say it every time, but the Welsh anthem at the Principality is special. And the French anthem ain’t half bad either. The two best in the tournament? I reckon so.
Elliot Dee leads the team out on his 50th appearance. Applause for Lewis Jones, the former Wales and British & Irish Lion, who passed away this week. Some love too for Barry John, JPR Williams, Phil Bennett and John Dawes.
Minutes away. Both groups look tense. They know what’s on offer today. Redemption is maybe too strong a word, but yesterday proved that any side can win if their opponents aren’t on it.
A third upset? We’ll find out soon.
I know our focus is on Wales and France, but I really enjoyed this Andy Bull. If English fans can start believing in a project after just one performance, perhaps the same could be true for Welsh and French supporters?
Late change for Wales
Ryan Elias has withdrawn with a hamstring injury. That means Elliot Dee, on his 50th appearance for his country, story starts at hooker. The uncapped Evan Lloyd joins the bench.
It’s been six years since Wales beat France in Cardiff. That was a scrappy 14-13 win in 2018. Warrent Gatland was the coach but it was a very different looking Welsh side, one captained by Alun Wyn Jones, steered by Dan Biggar with Liam Williams scoring a try and Leigh Halfpenny slotting three penalties.
But France have dominated this contest of late, winning all of the last four matches, including a 41-28 drubbing last year.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out there! You’re all champions. In that spirit, here’s a nice little thing from the Welsh side:
So, changes aplenty. But will it help?
Michael Aylwin points out that this Six Nations has not gone according to plan for either side. Wales will stay bottom with a loss of any sort and unless France get a bonus point in defeat, they could prop up the table with just a game to go.
Serious business, is what I’m saying. This is serious business.
France team
There are eight changes from the side that got away with a lucky draw against Italy. Thomas Ramos starts at fly-half in place of the injured Matthieu Jalibert but there’s good news as Gregory Alldritt returns to skipper the team from the back of the pack.
There are debuts for full-back Leo Barre, lock Emmanuel Meafou and centre Nicolas Depoortere. Changes at hooker, wing, the second row and scrum-half, where 21-year-old Nolann Le Garrec will hope to do what Maxime Lucu could not and replicate the fizz of Antoine Dupont.
France: Barre; Penaud, Fickou, Depoortere, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Le Garrec; Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (cap).
Replacements: Mauvaka, S Taofifenua, Colombe, R Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana.
Wales team
A couple of changes from Gats. It’s a new midfield combination with Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts replacing Nick Tompkins and Josh Adams. Skipper Dafydd Jenkins shifts to the back as Will Rowlands adds heft to the pack.
Wales: Winnett; Adams, Roberts, Watkin, Dyer; Costelow, Williams; Thomas, Dee, Assiratti, Rowlands, Beard, Jenkins (cap), Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: E Lloyd, Domachowski, Lewis, Mann, martin, Davies, I Lloyd, Grady.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Room for one more? Yesterday was a feast of rugby. First Italy edged Scotland in a thriller in Rome and then England silenced their critics with a stunning upset over Ireland.
But we’re not done yet. For the final course we have two out of sorts sides looking for morale-boosting triumph. Without Monsieur Dupont France have been disjointed and aimless, stuttering to just a solitary victory from three matches. Meanwhile a young Welsh side has shown plenty of fight but little quality in three consecutive losses. Both camps will quietly fancy themselves.
However, the pressure must lie with the French. After all, they were the best team in the world only two seasons ago but seem gripped by the trauma of a disappointing home World Cup. Perhaps that means Wales can go out and express themselves, free from the burden of an expectant Cardiff crowd.
We’ve got all the ingredients for a ripper. Should it deliver, we may look back on this round as one of the greatest in Six Nations history.
Teams and updates to follow. Kick off at 3pm in Cardiff.
