Preview: France v Wales

The last time Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards were both involved in a Guinness Six Nations encounter, Wales were clinching the Grand Slam against Ireland.

Fast-forward four years and the two will be on opposite sides of the coaching boxes at the Stade de France, Gatland back in charge of Wales, while Edwards marshals France’s defence.

There will be no Slam for either side this year, and France will be hoping that there will not be one full stop.

For if Ireland do fall short in their bid for a clean sweep, then France could swoop in and defend the title they won a year ago.

To do so, their first task is to beat Wales, preferably with a bonus point, to make it four from five in World Cup year

Form is certainly on their side, fresh from their record-breaking success against England at Twickenham, but their last two wins over Wales have come by a combined six points, so they will not be taking this one lightly.

The visitors, meanwhile, got off the mark with victory in Rome, and will be desperate to finish with back-to-back successes after a poor start to the campaign.

Team News

France have made two changes from the team that ran in seven tries at Twickenham, one injury enforced and one a return from suspension.

Romain Taofifenua steps in for the injured Paul Willemse while Uini Atonio is back after missing the wins over Scotland and England to win his 50th cap.

Elsewhere, it is as you were with Antoine Dupont captaining the side once more, with the only change on the bench being a potential Guinness Six Nations debut for lock Bastien Chalureau.

Wales have made more drastic changes, with six in all, including returns for Alun Wyn Jones in the second row and Dan Biggar at fly-half.

The other change in the pack sees Aaron Wainwright replace the injured Jac Morgan while Louis Rees-Zammit fills in with Liam Williams ruled out at full-back.

Finally, in the midfield, Nick Tompkins and George North will combine on a day that sees Taulupe Faletau win his 100th cap for his country.

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Ethan Dumortier, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 6 François Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Grégory Alldritt

Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Sekou Macalou, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Yoram Moefana, 23 Melvyn Jaminet

Wales: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: 16 Bradley Roberts, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Leigh Halfpenny