Tougher tests await France in their quest to reconquer this famous championship, but the stylish manner in which Les Bleus sent Wales onwards to Rome to lick deep wounds will have attracted the attention of all those who have title aspirations.
Last week, Paris celebrated fashion and on Friday night the country’s team matched the city of light’s flamboyance, condemning Wales to their heaviest defeat on French soil in bonus-point, seven-try style. Whether these Frenchmen are Grand Slam material remains to be seen but when the likes of Grégory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are in this mood, who on earth would want to bet against them.
The only source of Gallic gloom came in needless fashion, with the match wrapped up and eyes turning to Twickenham. Romain Ntamack, France’s poster-boy fly-half, whacked Ben Thomas with a clumsy shoulder and after a bunker review the attempted tackle was rightly upgraded to a red card. Barring a judicial blinder from French lawyers, Les Bleus will have to start either Matthieu Jalibert or the versatile Thomas Ramos – nominally a full-back – in the No 10 jersey for Le Crunch.
Wales were spirited and brave and posed a few questions early on before the hosts leapt into life. In the end, Warren Gatland’s side, on the head coach’s 150th Test with Wales, were desperately outclassed in all areas, unable to muster so much as a solitary point. On the back of this, Italy away next Saturday – in what many predict to be the wooden-spoon decider – looks a daunting proposition to arrest a record losing streak which has now stretched to 13 Tests. The Stade de France shellacking also equalled Wales’s worst Six Nations run of defeats: seven matches without victory. Nilled for the first time in 18 years, too.
To a man, France were more threatening and Fabien Gatlhié’s side will travel to Twickenham next week on the back of this marmalisation having blown off the cobwebs. Dupont looked a little out of sorts for 10 minutes before switching into freak mode, setting up three of France’s four first-half tries (two for each wing, Théo Attissogbé and Bielle-Biarrey) as Les Bleus wrapped up the bonus point before the break. Try as they might – and, boy, did they – Wales just had no answer to the French pace, the French power, or the French panache. And what can Gatland, Rob Howley – or anyone for that matter – say to that? Sometimes, others are just better.
10:34 PM GMT
Dan Biggar on ITV
On Romain Ntamack’s red card:
“I think Fabien Galthie, Shaun Edwards and the French coaching staff will be furious with that. You see the score line, it was 38-0, 70 minutes on the clock and your main player, who has not played for 17 months, is probably going to miss certainly one game, maybe two.
“You can see how disappointed he is. He is really annoyed with himself.”
10:34 PM GMT
The thoughts of France defence coach Shaun Edwards
10:33 PM GMT
Who gets your vote?
10:31 PM GMT
More from Jac Morgan, talking to S4C
“We are gutted with the result. We worked very hard as a team but if you make mistakes against a team like France, they are going to punish you.
“We have to stay tight as a group to keep improving and try to make fewer mistakes.”
10:30 PM GMT
Winning start for France
10:27 PM GMT
The thoughts of Wales captain Jac Morgan
10:26 PM GMT
Six Nations predictions 2025: Winners, top try-scorer and players to watch
As the cream of the northern-hemisphere crop prepare to lock horns, Telegraph Sport’s experts stare into their crystal balls. Will Wales win the wooden spoon again? Can Ireland make it three Six Nations titles on the trot? You can find out with all the predictions right here.
10:25 PM GMT
Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, squads and how to watch on TV
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy go head to head to be crowned kings of northern hemisphere rugby. We have you covered with all the details.
10:22 PM GMT
Ntamack’s red card
Tonight was the fly-half’s first France appearance in 17 months but this brainless act is surely going to lead to a ban which will probably see him miss next weekend’s match against England.
10:20 PM GMT
Watch: France try awarded despite ‘two metre’ forward pass by Antoine Dupont
What happened?
Dupont picked up the ball from the base of the ruck outside the Wales 22, shrugging off one defender to make a break before leaving Liam Williams for dead with sharp sidestep.
As the French scrum-half approached the five-metre line, he lofted a pass over the head over a retreating Josh Adams and into the hands of Attissogbé.
However, Attissogbé appeared to take the ball around two yards in front of Dupont with the ball going forward out of his hands. The five-metre line made it clear that Attissogbé did indeed receive the ball in front of Dupont.
Nevertheless, referee Paul Williams awarded the try straight away and no intervention came from the other match officials.
To read more, click here.
10:18 PM GMT
Gregory Alldritt speaking post-match
10:15 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
10:11 PM GMT
Full time
After Wales thought they might have a chance of getting their first points of the night as they entered into the France 22 down the right touchline, the hosts take possession, Le Garrec kicks the ball out of play and France complete an utterly dominant victory to start their Six Nations campaign. They beat Wales 43-0 and Warren Gatland’s side are condemned to a 13th straight defeat.
10:07 PM GMT
TRY! Alldritt powers over
France have it just inches from the Wales line and they will not be denied as number eight Alldritt goes over from very short range. That did feel inevitable. Le Garrec misses the conversion and the hosts have just under two minutes to hit the 50-mark with a converted try.
10:05 PM GMT
76 mins: France 38 Wales 0
Both sides are going to end this match with 14 men as Thomas, on his second Wales cap, is sent to the bin after an accumulation of penalties. France kick brilliantly right into the corner.
10:01 PM GMT
73 mins: France 38 Wales 0
News from the bunker review. Ntamack’s yellow card is upgraded to a red as it was a high degree of danger and always illegal. No surprise that decision. What was he thinking? He is now almost certainly going to miss France’s game against England next weekend.
Romain Ntamack’s yellow has been upgraded to red! That will surely rule him out of next week’s clash with England. A blow for France on an otherwise routine evening.
09:59 PM GMT
72 mins: France 38 Wales 0
Wales have the line-out inside the France 22 and Tompkins takes it towards the line. He is held up over the line and France will have the goal-line drop out. It then leads to a mass scuffle, the first real blow-up of the night.
09:57 PM GMT
71 mins: France 38 Wales 0
Ntamack is going to be in trouble here. He makes clear head contact on B Thomas with his shoulder and is shown a yellow, which will now go to a bunker review. I would be stunned if that was not upgraded to a red card.
09:56 PM GMT
70 mins: France 38 Wales 0
With a penalty advantage in the bag, T Williams chips a little kick over the top from halfway and B Thomas catches it. He then puts in a kick which France gather so we go back to the penalty. The TMO is now taking a look at foul play...
09:54 PM GMT
TRY! Gailleton scores moments after coming on
France have their sixth and it is the recent substitute who has it. After a series of sublime offloads, including one out of the back of the hand from Le Garrec a little like he did last year against Wales at the Principality Stadium, France have it in the Wales 22. Ntamack puts in the crossfield kick and on the bounce picks out Gailleton, who scores just moments after coming on. Le Garrec is now kicking with Ramos off the pitch but he misses his first conversion attempt.
09:52 PM GMT
67 mins: France 33 Wales 0
Wales are in possession near the French 22 but concede a penalty and are then marched back 10 metres after Adams screamed at the referee.
Ramos’ night is over, being replaced by Gailleton.
09:48 PM GMT
63 mins: France 33 Wales 0
Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas is on for his second cap and Six Nations debut, coming on in place of Botham, yes grandson of England cricketing great Ian.
09:47 PM GMT
62 mins: France 33 Wales 0
France get within five metres of the Wales line but Le Garrec is forced into a knock-on at the breakdown.
09:45 PM GMT
61 mins: France 33 Wales 0
Wales give away a penalty just outside their 22 as Dee is punished for a croc-roll at the breakdown. France kick towards the corner and it is a superb kick, giving the hosts a five-metre line-out.
09:44 PM GMT
60 mins: France 33 Wales 0
After winning a free-kick at the scrum, Wales take it towards the French 22 but the attack stalls. B Thomas, like he did in the first half, makes the wrong decision and kicks ahead but it is a wasted chance.
09:42 PM GMT
57 mins: France 33 Wales 0
Wales reach double figures of phases but they are not making too much ground and then France steal the ball on the ground but they knocked it on in the process.
09:38 PM GMT
TRY! France over for their fifth
Wales can do nothing to stop the rolling maul and France have their fifth try of the night, Marchand the man to dot it down. Ramos misses his first kick of the game but France now lead 33-0.
09:37 PM GMT
53 mins: France 28 Wales 0
Assiratti is offside just inside the French half so the home side have the penalty advantage. Ntamack makes a great break into the Welsh half and now the hosts have it inside the Wales 22. They have a new penalty advantage and we will come back to that. Referee Paul Williams is giving another warning to the Welsh captain Jac Morgan. France go to the corner.
09:33 PM GMT
49 mins: France 28 Wales 0
France win the scrum penalty just five metres out from their line and can move forwward out of their 22.
France are making six changes! Perhaps their version of the South African ‘Bomb Squad’. The entire front-row has been changed and Dupont’s night is over, with Le Garrec coming on in his place. Auradou and Guillard are also on as part of those six changes.
09:30 PM GMT
47 mins: France 28 Wales 0
Wales win the line-out and set the maul but it does not move much so they get it out. The visitors go through a number of phases not far from the French line but Jenkins knocks on going into contact and the chance is gone for Wales.
09:26 PM GMT
45 mins: France 28 Wales 0
Wales work in nicely down the left wing after a great initial flat pass from L Williams out to Adams. Neat handling and offloading gets Wales into the France 22. The ball then goes to ground and Bielle-Biarrey sprints away, thinking he is going to run the length of the pitch but Wales have a penalty for offside.
No point of going for the posts so they will go to the corner as the visitors change their entire front-row.
09:23 PM GMT
42 mins: France 28 Wales 0
Wales are now back up to 15 men at the end of Lloyd’s sin-bin.
09:21 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way in Paris.
09:17 PM GMT
Who gets your vote?
09:15 PM GMT
Six Nations predictions 2025: Winners, top try-scorer and players to watch
As the cream of the northern-hemisphere crop prepare to lock horns, Telegraph Sport’s experts stare into their crystal balls. Will Wales win the wooden spoon again? Can Ireland make it three Six Nations titles on the trot? You can find out with all the predictions right here.
09:11 PM GMT
HT verdicts
It took France a while to start motoring, but nothing tells the story of the half more precisely than the score. 28 points to nil, the four-try bonus point already sewn up. Surely, the result is done and dusted; all that remains for Wales is pride.
09:08 PM GMT
Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, squads and how to watch on TV
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy go head to head to be crowned kings of northern hemisphere rugby. We have you covered with all the details.
09:06 PM GMT
Half time
That is the final act of the first half and France lead 28-0 at the break.
09:05 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey doubles up
Both French wingers have two tries and the hosts have a bonus point on the stroke of half time. France are held up just short of the line and Dupont whips out a long pass out to the left, which picks out Bielle-Biarrey, who cuts inside and dots down. Ramos nails his conversion.
09:04 PM GMT
40 mins: France 21 Wales 0
Wales stop the maul but concede another penalty advantage due to hands on the ground at the breakdown. France knock on just a few metres from the line so we go back for the penalty. Wales captain Jac Morgan is being given a talking-to and now the visitors are on a warning. France go back to the corner.
09:03 PM GMT
39 mins: France 21 Wales 0
France have a penalty advantage and Ntamack tries to pick out Attissogbe with a crossfield kick out to the right wing but the kick goes dead. France go to the corner with just over a minute left.
09:00 PM GMT
37 mins: France 21 Wales 0
Dupont puts a clever kick in behind and Bielle-Biarrey looks like he is going to get on the end of it. Edwards slides to try and gather it but cannot. Rogers then knocks it back over his own line and grounds it so France will have a scrum five metres from the Wales line.
08:58 PM GMT
35 mins: France 21 Wales 0
We have news from the bunker review and Lloyd’s yellow will stay as it is. There was mitigation applied due to the primary tackler and it will remain as a yellow.
08:57 PM GMT
TRY! Attissogbe has his second
France have their third. Dupont escapes a tackle and bursts through the Welsh defensive line and forward into the Wales 22. He passes out to his right just before he was going to be tackled and finds Attissogbe, who has the easiest of finishes. The pass from Dupont looked like it may have been forward but the try stands. Ramos gets the conversion and France lead 21-0.
Dare I say it, Dupont looked a bit clunky early doors but he and his team are purring now. Wales, after fighting so hard, will do well to keep this respectable.
08:55 PM GMT
33 mins: France 14 Wales 0
France make a mess of the line-out and Wales are able to escape their own 22.
08:55 PM GMT
32 mins: France 14 Wales 0
France have a penalty advantage but cannot make anything of it so we go back for the original penalty. The hosts go to the corner once more and have a five-metre line-out.
08:54 PM GMT
31 mins: France 14 Wales 0
Wales hooker Lloyd could be in some trouble here. We are going for a TMO review after a high shot on Bielle-Biarrey. It is foul play and high so Lloyd is shown a yellow card and we will have a bunker review. He was the secondary tackler, which is the only thing that could save him.
France kick into the Wales 22.
08:51 PM GMT
30 mins: France 14 Wales 0
Dupont attempts a kick through but it is blocked by the Welsh defence so France will have to rebuild from outside the Wales 22.
A good defensive set from Wales forces a France knock-on and the visitors clear their lines.
08:50 PM GMT
29 mins: France 14 Wales 0
Attissogbe nearly executes an unbelievable 50-22 from inside his own 22 but it is about a metre shy.
Wales then knock on on the edge of their 22, gifting France a scrum in a great attacking position.
08:47 PM GMT
27 mins: France 14 Wales 0
Wales are being forced into a change as Watkin is in some pain. He is being helped off the field and will be replaced by Edwards, who is on for his Welsh debut.
That looked gruesome for Owen Watkin, collapsing in a heap before hitting contact. It looks like a knee of some sort.
08:44 PM GMT
26 mins: France 14 Wales 0
Wales approach the French 22 but B Thomas wastes the opportunity as he puts in a pointless chip kick which results in a French mark, with none of his teammates anticipating he was going to do that. Wales are not going to get endless opportunities in this match and they need to take them when they come.
08:41 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey over for France’s second of the night
France have their second and the floodgates are starting to open! The hosts sends it into the hands of the backs out to the right and Ramos lifts a pass over Adams’s head into the hands of Bielle-Biarrey, who goes over. Ramos makes it two from two from the tee and France’s lead is up to 14 points.
08:41 PM GMT
22 mins: France 7 Wales 0
France have a scrum on the Wales 10-metre line and make great ground. They opt for the Ireland-esque wrap-around straight off the scrum and Dupont sends a pass out to the right wing, where Attissogbe sprints down the touchline and into the Wales 22. France now have it just five metres from the Welsh line...
08:36 PM GMT
TRY! Attissogbe over after sublime kick from Dupont
France have the first try of the 2025 Six Nations and guess who created it! The hosts have a penalty advantage but do not need it as Dupont picks out Attissogbe on the right wing with a sublime crossfield kick. A simply stunning assist from probably the best player in the world. Ramos lands the conversion and France lead 7-0.
Théo Attissogbe’s first try for France and it came in some style, from the most sumptuous Dupont cross-kick. Les Bleus have not had it all their own way so far, mind you!
08:36 PM GMT
18 mins: France 0 Wales 0
France loosehead prop Gros looked like he may have got there but it is play on. They now have a penalty advantage...
08:35 PM GMT
17 mins: France 0 Wales 0
France are edging closer and closer to the Welsh line...
08:34 PM GMT
16 mins: France 0 Wales 0
Wales make a meal of their clearance as T Williams’ pass back to B Thomas puts the fly-half under pressure on his own line. He has scragged just a couple of metres from his line and France go aggressively at the breakdown but Wales maintain possession and clear out of their 22.
08:33 PM GMT
14 mins: France 0 Wales 0
Tompkins is a very lucky man. He knocks on inside his own half under pressure from Dupont. Boudehont kicks ahead and gets onto the end of it just five metres from the Wales line but knocks on. Had he gathered that France would very likely have scored the opening try of the night.
08:30 PM GMT
12 mins: France 0 Wales 0
Wales go through a number of phases inside the France 22 but are penalised as Alldritt wins the hosts a crucial penalty at the breakdown.
08:28 PM GMT
10 mins: France 0 Wales 0
B Thomas tries to pick out Rogers with a crossfield kick just inside the France 22. Ramos goes up for it with Rogers and the ball drops to the ground. Williams attempts to hack it forward but it rolls into touch. Ramos had dropped the ball forward so Wales will have the feed at the scrum.
08:26 PM GMT
9 mins: France 0 Wales 0
We have the first scrum of the night and France are on feed. After a few re-sets, Wales are awarded a free-kick.
08:23 PM GMT
6 mins: France 0 Wales 0
France work it down the right and Attissogbe gets free down the right-hand touchline. The French winger nearly gets his hands free to make an offload that surely would have led to a try but he is denied the offload. France get into the Wales 22 but Reffell, who has just come on as a blood replacement, wins the visitors a penalty after good work at the breakdown.
A promising start from Wales! Tom Rogers and James Botham did tremendously to hold Antoine Dupont up over the line and Tommy Reffell, on for Aaron Wainwright, produced a trademark turnover.
But just as I write, Owen Watkin spills a pretty straightforward pass.
08:19 PM GMT
3 mins: France 0 Wales 0
France are awarded a penalty inside the Wales 22 and Dupont takes it quickly. It looks like he might sneak his way over but he is held up over the line by three Welsh defenders. Dupont asks referee Paul Williams whether Wales were back 10 when he took the quick tap and the referee says they were.
Wales are being forced into an early blood replacement as Wainwright needs some treatment so Reffell is on in his place potentially temporarily.
08:18 PM GMT
2 mins: France 0 Wales 0
After a period of Welsh possession, France block a kick and then Ramos unleashes a terrific kick from inside his own half, hits grass and rolls into touch for a 50-22. France line-out inside the Wales 22 incoming...
08:15 PM GMT
Kick-off
The 2025 Six Nations is under way.
08:08 PM GMT
Anthem time
Both sides emerge from the tunnel at the Stade de France and it is time for the national anthems. “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” followed by “La Marseillaise”. Before the anthems though a period of applause is observed for former France Under-18 international Medhi Narjissi, who was swept away to his death in South Africa back in August.
They do like a light show in Paris and to be fair they do it pretty well to build up the drama ahead of kick-off.
Everyone feared for Wales anyway but it is absolutely pumping in here, an explosion of fire and light, smoke and noise. France just cannot be anything but up for this in such a maelstrom of mania.
08:04 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
France starting XV: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (captain); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Wales starting XV: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (captain) Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
07:59 PM GMT
Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts on ITV
07:56 PM GMT
Wales’ 2025 Six Nations captain
07:52 PM GMT
Six Nations predictions 2025: Winners, top try-scorer and players to watch
As the cream of the northern-hemisphere crop prepare to lock horns, Telegraph Sport’s experts stare into their crystal balls. Will Wales win the wooden spoon again? Can Ireland make it three Six Nations titles on the trot? You can find out with all the predictions right here.
07:49 PM GMT
The thoughts of Warren Gatland
07:43 PM GMT
France defence coach Shaun Edwards speaking to ITV
07:40 PM GMT
Visitors in the house
07:37 PM GMT
Netflix has canned Six Nations: Full Contact after two series – it is easy to see why
Netflix will not be renewing Six Nations: Full Contact for a third series, it was confirmed last week by Tom Harrison, the championship’s chief executive. Having watched the second instalment – released on Wednesday on Netflix – I would say it is tough to imagine that the boardroom conversations regarding a potential renewal required a second cup of coffee.
The Six Nations executive remain hopeful of another streaming platform snapping up the rights to a third edition but if the standard of the second is anything to go by, then such optimism is misguided. Harrison did add that the Six Nations had been given assurances that the decision had “absolutely nothing to do with the way that the first season and second season... will be received by the market” because Netflix is expanding into the live sport realm, but if this documentary had been worth its salt then other platforms would already be queuing up to stream it.
For more from Charles Richardson’s review, click here.
07:33 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
07:30 PM GMT
Could Wales cause a shock in Paris tonight?
The rain has soaked Paris down to the sewers this afternoon and, although the skies are beginning to dry up, Wales will be the happier of the two sides. The visitors, rank outsiders, will be hoping to reduce France’s snazz and pizazz to a bunfight tonight, restricting the hosts’ rhythm and tempo. But chatting to fans around this great stadium in Saint-Denis, no one - not even the most optimistic, dragon-face-painted Welsh fans - can see anything other than a comfortable French victory.
07:27 PM GMT
The most memorable moments from 25 years of Six Nations
A quarter of a century since Italy entered, Telegraph Sport recalls the greatest and most dramatic matches, moves and incidents.
07:22 PM GMT
Hosts arriving
07:18 PM GMT
Adam Jones’ ‘feud’ with Warren Gatland is over: ‘Mum would be turning in her grave’
The image of Adam Jones smoothing away the curly locks that have long invaded his face to actually kiss Warren Gatland as the pair made up will be too intense for many to summon. But for the forlorn Wales support, the ending of a supposed feud and the famous tighthead returning to the fold is perhaps the fillip they need with the Six Nations fast approaching.
Monday was Jones’s first day back at the national team’s headquarters, after Gatland last week seconded the Harlequins forwards coach as scrum consultant for the Championship, starting with Friday’s ominous night-time opener in Paris. His passion and enthusiasm were plain to see.
“It’s like the first day back in school,” Jones, 43, said. The smile was apt, because after the manner in which he apparently fell out with the headmaster 10 years ago, it was almost impossible to envisage him being asked back by Gatland to act as tutor.
James Corrigan has the full story.
07:14 PM GMT
Who gets your vote?
Join the discussion in the comments section below.
07:10 PM GMT
Telegraph Reader offer
07:06 PM GMT
Five hurdles Gatland must overcome to keep Wales job
Odds
“Write us off at your peril,” Gatland says, but William Hill says Wales have never been a bigger price for a Six Nations match.
And what makes that even more concerning for the support is that particular bookmaker has the outsiders at 12-1 to defeat France – and Paddy Power has Wales at 25-1.
If anything encapsulates the dramatic downfall since the Grand Slam of 2019 and the Championship title of 2021, it is the reflective ridicule being thrown upon them by bookmakers, whose only interest is financial.
“Wales are 18-1 with us to win in Paris and they’ve never before been anywhere nearly as big as that for an individual Six Nations match,” said Alex Apati of Ladbrokes. “This is reflected in the overall tournament as we have them as 8-11 favourites to retain the wooden spoon.”
In other words, Gatland is odds-on to lose his job.
For more from James Corrigan, click here.
07:02 PM GMT
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06:55 PM GMT
Wales 2025 Six Nations squad
Forwards: Gareth Thomas, Nicky Smith, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, Henry Thomas, WillGriff John, Ben Warren, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan (capt), Tommy Reffell.
Backs: Tomos Williams, Ellis Bevan, Rhodri Williams, Ben Thomas, Dan Edwards, Eddie James, Nick Tompkins, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Tom Rogers, Josh Hathaway, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray, Josh Adams, Liam Williams.
06:49 PM GMT
Team news
Romain Ntamack will make his first France appearance for 17 months after serious knee and calf injuries. Antoine Dupont, who did not play in last year’s Six Nations due to preparing to play for the French sevens team at the Paris Olympics, starts and captains the side. France are without Damien Penaud and Gael Fickou who are out with toe and thumb injuries respectively. They join the likes of Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch and Jonathan Danty on the sidelines.
France starting XV: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (captain); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Winger Josh Adams features for Wales for the first time since the 2024 Six Nations whilst Liam Williams makes his first Wales appearance since the summer tour of Australia last year. Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas are given their first Wales starts in the front-row. Taulupe Faletau has still not recovered from injury. Dafydd Jenkins, who captained the side during the 2024 Six Nations, starts in the second row but Jac Morgan will captain the side tonight.
Wales starting XV: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (captain) Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
06:45 PM GMT
Here we go
The 2025 Six Nations is upon us and it all gets under way in Paris this evening as France host Wales at the Stade de France. France will be looking to go one step better than they did a year ago after finishing second in the 2024 Six Nations. During their Autumn Nations Series campaign back in November, they eased to a 52-12 victory over Japan, won a thriller against New Zealand 30-29 and beat Argentina 37-23. They have only won the Six Nations once since 2010, when they secured the Grand Slam in 2022. Fabien Galthié‘s side finishes second last year but have the services of Antoine Dupont available to them this time around after missing last year’s tournament due to preparing for the Paris Olympics with the French sevens team.
Wales are hoping to avoid the same fate as last year when they finished up with the wooden spoon in the 2024 Six Nations, ending up seven points adrift of fifth-place Italy after losing all five matches. Warren Gatland’s side enter 2025 off the back of a dreadful 2024 where they lost every game in a calendar year for the first time since 1937 and are currently on a 12-game losing streak, their worst ever run. They had a miserable Autumn Nations series campaign, losing against Fiji before heavy defeats to Australia and South Africa. Despite their horrid run, Gatland, who takes charge of his 150th Test as the Wales head coach, is still looking forward to the tournament and believes the pressure is on France tonight.
“I am excited, the boys have been good,” said Gatland. “Ironically, I think there is more pressure on them [France] because of the expectation from their fans. They expect them to go out there, throw the ball around, score tries and entertain everyone.
“From my point of view, sometimes teams can go and overplay, particularly early on, try things and make mistakes and this gives you opportunities. We look back at last year and we were in front for 60 odd minutes and then their bench came on and had a massive impact in the last 15 minutes of the game, that is why we have tried to get the balance right with some of that experience of our players on the bench.
“I think they [Wales’ players] are well aware of the task. We want to go out there, play some good rugby and do some things that potentially France are not going to expect us to do.”
Tonight’s hosts kicked off the Six Nations last year on a Friday night in Marseille but things did not go to plan for them. Paul Willemse was sent off in the first half and they fell to a 17-38 home defeat against eventual Six Nations champions Ireland. These sides met in round four of the tournament last year, with France winning 24-45 in Cardiff. The omens would seem to be on the hosts’ side tonight; they have won six successive Test matches against Wales.
Kick-off at the Stade de France is at 8.15pm UK time.
