The 2025 Six Nations is right here! The motion kicks off in Paris the place Wales will probably be hoping to stun title hopefuls France on the Stade de France.
France enter this one as favourites, the place a victory would pile distress on Wales and lengthen their report 12-game shedding streak. Nonetheless, Wales boss Warren Gatland has stated he believes his facet can show their doubters improper. Can they just do that within the French capital?
Right here is every little thing it’s essential to find out about Friday’s conflict.
Key particulars:
When: Friday, Jan. 31 at 8.15 p.m. UK
The place: Stade de France, Paris
The right way to watch: You may wach reside on the ITV (UK). You may also observe together with reside updates on ESPN.
Officers: Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ire) & Jordan Approach (Aus)
Tv Match Official: Brett Cronan (Aus)
Lineups:
France: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou, Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont (captain), Romain Ntamack, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefan, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Theo Attissogbe, Leo Barre.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickel Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Wales: Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (captain), Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Tom Rogers, Liam Williams.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
Staff information:
France: The formidable half-back pairing of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack is the standout little bit of group information for France forward of this Championship. Dupont returned to Les Bleus in November, guiding them to wins over New Zealand and Argentina. Varied accidents have saved Ntamack on the worldwide sidelines since earlier than the final World Cup.
Winger Damien Penaud has been dominated out of the opening match with a toe harm, opening the door for 20-year-old Theo Attissogbe to shine within the 14 jersey. The ahead pack is essentially settled with the front-row of Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka and Uini Atonio more likely to trigger the Welsh pack loads of issues.
Wales: Regardless of hopes he could be accessible for the collection opener, veteran No. 8 Taulupe Faletau has not been named for Wales. Nonetheless, Warren Gatland is lucky to have the ability to name on different gamers with a number of expertise, together with fullback Liam Williams, winger Josh Adams. Wales will probably be captained by flanker Jac Morgan, whereas final yr’s Six Nations skipper Daffyd Jenkins additionally returns to the facet at lock.
Elliot Dee and Nicky Smith additionally supply expertise from the bench, whereas Dan Edwards is in line to make his debut.
Info from Reuters contributed to the group information of this report.
