RBS 6 Nations
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Friday, 26 February 2010 Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel and the BBC Sport website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
MATCH PREVIEW
France march into Cardiff on the last away leg of their Six Nations challenge, homing in on their first Grand Slam title since 2004. A win against Wales will leave just a match against the Italians, before a possible decider with England on French soil in three weeks’ time.
Fired up by their remarkable comeback against Scotland, Wales should be buzzing with renewed confidence. However, after barging past defending champions Ireland a fortnight ago, Marc Lievremont’s French juggernaut will be in no mood to apply the brakes.
The red shirts that stand in their way should also be bolstered by another memorable atmosphere - the match is the second-ever Friday evening game in Six Nations history and follows last year’s reverse fixture in Paris which France won 21-16.
Even the intimidating venue holds little fear for Les Bleus, having lost just once in the past five visits. But their most recent meeting in 2008 saw Wales victorious by a 17-point margin, their largest over the French.
BRYN PALMER’S BLOG
“My own suspicion is that an improved Welsh performance may fall just short of foiling the French”
The French newspaper L’Equipe hailed Lievremont’s men as “Combat Kings” after overwhelming the Irish, but it’s not just bruising physicality which has given them the edge.
Scrum-half Morgan Parra has called all the French tunes in a style that inexperienced opposite number Richie Rees will need to emulate to give Wales a chance.
Rees’ task will be tougher with the absence of key Lions players including Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Alun Wyn Jones. France’s preparations have been hampered by the loss of winger Benjamin Fall and lock Pascal Pape, both to ankle injuries. Sebastien Chabal returns to the bench.
Wales flanker Martyn Williams reaches a personal landmark as he equals Colin Charvis’ 94-cap record for a Wales forward, second only to Gareth Thomas on the all-time Welsh list.
Williams and captain Ryan Jones were criticised by Gatland for missing as many as 10 tackles against Scotland, so should need little incentive to put in strong performances.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• In 86 matches, Wales have won 43, France 40 with three draws.
• France have beaten Wales on four of their last five visits to the Millennium Stadium in the Six Nations.
Wales
• The Welsh have scored at least 15 points in each of their last 15 Six Nations games.
• They have scored as many tries (5) as they have conceded in their first two Six Nations matches.
• Have conceded nine tries in their last three games: against Australia, England and Scotland.
France
• Scored five tries in their opening two games against Scotland and Ireland, conceding one.
• If they win, it will be the first time they will have won three Six Nations games in a row under Marc Lievremont.
• A win by 15 points or more will put them up to third in the world rankings.
TEAM LINE-UPS
**Wales: **15-Byrne, 14-Halfpenny, 13-Hook, 12-Roberts, 11-S Williams, 10-S Jones, 9-R Rees; 1-James, 2-Bennett, 3-A Jones, 4-Davies, 5-D Jones, 6-Thomas, 7-M Williams, 8-R Jones.
Replacements: 16-Owens, 17-Gill, 18-Charteris, 19-Warburton, 20-Phillips, 21-Bishop, 22-Shanklin.
**France: **15-Poitrenaud, 14-Malzieu, 13-Bastareaud, 12-Jauzion, 11-Palisson, 10-Trinh-Duc, 9-Parra; 1-Domingo, 2-Servat, 3-Mas, 4-Nallet, 5-Pierre, 6-Dusautoir, 7-Bonnaire, 8-Harinordoquy
Replacements: 16-Szarzewski, 17-Poux, 18-Chabal, 19-Lapandry, 20-Michalak, 21-Marty, 22-Andreu
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
**Touch judges: **Alan Lewis & Simon McDowell (both Ireland)
**TV: **Jim Yuille (Scotland)
ONES TO WATCH
FRANCOIS TRINH-DUC (France)
- Fly-half, age 23
- Has scored five tries in 17 appearances for France
- In starting XV for the 10th time in last 11 Tests
- His grandfather is Vietnamese
**MARTYN WILLIAMS (Wales)
**
- Flanker, age 34
- Equals Colin Charvis’ 94-cap record for a Wales forward
- Plays his 50th Championship game
- Scored four tries in 11 matches against France
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