France vs Wales, Six Nations 2023: kick-off time, TV channels where to watch, team news, line-ups, odds

Ireland will win a second Grand Slam in five years and for the first time in Dublin if they beat England in the late kick-off on Super Saturday, but a rare error from the men in green could lead to glory for Les Bleus, who kicked off at the Stade de about two and a half hours earlier France.

For Fabien Galthie’s side to win their Irish counterparts in the final for a second consecutive year, they would need to beat Wales by a bonus point and hope to beat Ireland by England without scooping a lost bonus point.

According to the official Six Nations website, they could also do it if they manage to close the points difference if France wins by a bonus point and Ireland loses by a bonus point, or if France wins without a bonus point and Ireland loses without a bonus point.

France insist they are only focused on the task at hand against Wales, with a slip by Ireland against a utterly untrustworthy England side battered by 43 points – the heaviest Twickenham defeat ever and the third-biggest in the world – by their old ones Rivals from across the Channel seems extremely unlikely at this point.

Galthie’s men were absolutely fascinating in round four in London, combining wild jerking and defensive nous with dreamy handling, footwork and, despite the wet conditions, in a seven-try blitz that will have boosted confidence after a somewhat fickle defense of their first Grand Slam Speed ​​since 2010 and a home Rugby World Cup looming on the horizon in the fall.

They will be big favorites to brush aside in Wales, who have endured a torrid tournament both on and off the pitch but have held a first Six Nations in 20 years after a 29-17 bonus point win in Italy last time out -Wooden spoons should be avoided. Warren Gatland has suggested this will be the last game in this competition for at least eight of his senior players as he seeks a squad refresher.

Date, kick-off time and venue between France and Wales

France v Wales is the middle game of Six Nations Super Saturday, which comes after Scotland v Italy at Murrayfield but before Ireland v England clash in Dublin.

The game will take place on March 18th at the Stade de France in Paris, kick-off time is 14:45 GMT.

How to watch France vs Wales

TV channel: In the UK, France v Wales will be broadcast live on ITV, starting at 1:55pm.

Live broadcast: Fans can also watch the game live online by visiting the ITV website or the ITVX app.

The game can also be viewed online via Welsh language television network S4C and S4C Clic.

Live broadcast: Follow all the action live via Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.

France vs Wales team news

France show two changes from the side that humiliated England at Twickenham, with first-choice mainstay Uini Atonio returning from suspension in place of Dorian Aldegheri.

The other change from the Start-XV is on the second row, where the injured Paul Willemse is replaced by Romain Taofenua. Montpellier ban Bastien Chalureau comes on the bench.

It’s another series of changes from Gatland to continue the theme of Wales’ largely miserable tournament, six in total.

Alun Wyn Jones is back on the second row in place of Dafydd Jenkins, who falls to the bench, while Aaron Wainwright makes his first appearance of the 2023 Six Nations in place of the injured Jac Morgan on the flanker.

The fit-again Dan Biggar is back on the fly-half in place of Owen Williams, while Nick Tompkins and George North are paired in a redesigned midfield at the expense of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady, and Louis Rees-Zammit gets the nod at full-back with Liam Williams sidelined.

Rhys Webb retains the scrum-half jersey ahead of Tomos Williams after earning man-of-the-match honors in his first Six Nations start since 2017 in Rome, while Leigh Halfpenny is fit enough for further injury wrangling the bank is.

Hugely experienced number eight Taulupe Faletau earns his 100th cap for Wales senior team from Gatland.

Formation France against Wales

France XV: ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier; Ntamack, DuPont (c); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Flament, Taofifenua, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Substitute: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Chalureau, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana, Jaminet.

Wales XV: Rees Zammit; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Biggar, Webb; W Jones, Owens (c), Francis, Bart, AW Jones, Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau.

Substitute: Roberts, Thomas, Lewis, D Jenkins, Reffell, T Williams, O Williams, Halfpenny.

France vs Wales Head to Head (h2h) history and results

Wales won eight out of nine meetings with France between 2012 and 2019, but the tide has turned since then.

The French will seek a fifth straight win in this game on Saturday after triumphing 13-9 in a grueling battle in Cardiff 12 months ago.

France wins: 48

Wales wins: 51

Draw: 3

Prediction of France vs Wales

France still have a slim chance of defending their title but must not allow attention to dream of an unlikely England surprise in Dublin.

The focus must be on Wales, who have played horribly for most of the Six Nations but clinched that confidence-inspiring victory in Rome last weekend.

France were nothing short of phenomenal at Twickenham and even if they only play at half intensity and at a frenetic pace here it should still be enough to triumph in comfort.

France wins by 17 points.

France vs Wales odds

France wins: 1/20

Wales wins: 11/1

Draw: 50/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).