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- 22:26, 11 Mar 2022
- Updated: 22:26, 11 Mar 2022
WALES are out for revenge as they look to arrest France’s Grand Slam march – one year after their Paris heartbreak ended their own shot at immortality.
The Welsh Rugby Union have given themselves a headache for this Friday night game though as there are thousands of unsold tickets, costing around £100, sparking fury among fans at being priced out.
The Dragons began the competition on the end of a 29-7 hiding in Ireland, before bouncing back to edge out Scotland.
And despite having an understrength side, they battled bravely before being beaten 23-19 by England at Twickenham.
France have had no such challenges in their campaign, as they commenced with home wins over Ireland and Italy.
Then, most impressively, they hammered Scotland 36-17 at Murrayfield, which put them top of the Six Nations table.
Ahead of the match, Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “France are the in-form team in the world at the moment.
“Any team that can score 40 points against New Zealand plus having recently beaten Ireland in this competition are going to be hard to beat.
“They have players a number of world class players and are a big side that will test us physically and at the set piece.”
What time does Wales vs France rugby kick off?
- Wales take on France on Friday, March 11 – TONIGHT.
- The match kicks off at 8pm UK time – 9pm in France.
- It will take place at the Principality Stadium.
- Last time the sides me, France ran out 32-30 winners with a last gasp try in an incredible match which saw them finish with 14 men and Wales with 13.
What TV channel is Wales vs France on and can I live stream it?
- Wales vs France is live on BBC One.
- Coverage commences at 7.30pm – half an hour before kick-off.
- To stream the game live, head to the BBC iPlayer.
- France 2 is the French broadcaster for the Six Nations.
- Viewers who want to watch in Welsh can head to S4C, with coverage starting there at 7.30pm also.
Can I watch Wales vs France for free?
- Yes. BBC is free for all viewers with a TV licence.
- S4C is also free.
Team news
Wales have named four changes for their match against France.
Josh Navidi returns after five months out as he replaces Taine Basham.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Davies replaces Nick Tompkins, Seb Davies replaces Ross Moriarty and Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones.
France have shuffled their pack due to Damian Penaud being ruled out with Covid.
Gabin Villiere comes back into the side on the left wing and as a result, Yoram Moefana is shifted to the right.
But there was relief for the French as star man Antoine Dupont recovered from a training ground injury to make the starting line-up.
Latest odds
Wales 10/3
Draw 22/1
France 1/4
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, March 7
Wales did their job
Asked about how he feels his team played today despite losing to the French:
The boys put in a very big effort. In these sort of matches, one score can win it and we probably had our opportunity in the second half. We didn’t quite get it.
Wayne PivacWales
A campaign to forget
Most Welsh fans will be happy to forget about this Guinness Six Nations and look forward to the future.
They have had a torrid amount of injuries to key players, having to dig deep in their squad to deal with absentees.
It is a team in transition, Rome was not built in a day.
Fate in their own hands
This could be the perfect campaign for France.
They hold their fate in their own hands going into the final round of fixtures irrelevant to other results this weekend.
To face England at home with a Grand Slam at stake seems the perfect finale.
Performance to be proud of
Dan Biggar put in a sterling performance for the home side today.
Wales caused France lots of problems and should have had more points to show for their efforts.
That is probably France’s toughest game of the Guinness Six Nations today.
The French march on
Les Bleus pass the test of a tricky trip to Cardiff on a Friday evening.
They now go into their last game, needing to beat England at Parc Des Princes to win the Grand Slam.
Dogged performance by France today.
FT: Wales 9-13 France
Despite being under the cosh for all the second-half, France managed to keep Wales at bay and stop them from scoring.
We didn’t expect to see such a close game, Wales will feel they were in touching distance of beating Les Bleus today.
Wales 9-13 France
80. We are into overtime now.
Dante rips the ball from Welsh hands.
France kick into touch.
Wales 9-13 France
79. The clock has stopped with 38 seconds left on it.
One scrummage for Wales, the fans sing ‘Land of my Father’.
What a finish this would be if Wales were to do what France did to them in Paris last year.
Wales 9-13 France
78. France are just looking to hold onto the ball to see the game out.
Welsh pressure causes France to kick into the Wales twenty-two.
One last chance for Wales to make a move for the France try line.
Wales 9-13 France
76. Firstly the turnover was huge from the Wales scrum.
Then Danty winning the ball from Welsh hands, winning a penalty.
Jaminet is going to go for it.
Wales 9-13 France
74. That may have been the wrong decision to take the scrum.
Ntamack turns the ball over and France clear to halfway.
Wales may feel they should have put the three points on the board.
Wales 9-13 France
72. Wales have the put in on the scrum deep into the French half.
Dupont has been brought off for the last 8 minutes, big call.
This will be a huge chance for Wales to find that elusive try.
Wales 9-13 France
70. Wales attack down the right-wing with a penalty advantage behind them.
France were caught offside.
The referee brings the ball back.
Wales 9-13 France
68. Pivac will be pleased with the Welsh performance in this half.
They have done everything but score.
With only four points the difference, Wales need to fashion that one try.
Wales 9-13 France
66. Ntamack tries a drop goal from not too far out.
It doesn’t miss by much, the height was good.
The ball slides wide of the post.
Wales 9-13 France
65. Rees-Zammit is about to join the game for Wales.
Big cheer from the crowd for the fan favourite.
Josh Adams moves into midfield.
Wales 9-13 France
63. What a chance for Wales there.
Biggar sees the opportunity and kicks low across field.
Faletau takes it and hands it off to Davies, if he takes the pass it is a try.
He knocks the ball on.
Wales 9-13 France
62. Neither team have been able to dominate their opponent today.
The game has been even with few try scoring chances.
Defence has been solid from both sides.
Wales 9-13 France
60. Biggar sends a crossfield kick looking for Josh Adams.
Jaminet goes for the ball and barely gets a touch on it.
Knock-on from Wales penalised.
Wales 9-13 France
58. Wales look to make some gains in the French half.
Under pressure from the French the Welsh are sent backwards.
As Wales kick to clear the referee awards a penalty as France are offside.
Wales 9-13 France
56. Welsh scrum in a good position but Dupont steals the ball.
He sends a big kick up in the air but Josh Adams deals with it.
Penalty awarded to Wales.
Wales 9-13 France
54. Both teams are struggling to make headway into their opponents half
…. to be continued
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