Wales look to give Les Bleus a first defeat in the 2022 Six Nations

Wales may be out of the running in terms of winning the competition, though playing for pride will be enough for Wayne Pivac’s men who will be hunting their second win of the 2022 campaign. However, Round 4 is set to be a tough one for Wales as they square off against log leaders, France. 

The French continued their impressive campaign as they brushed Scotland aside at Murrayfield last weekend: 

Surprisingly, it has been 12 years since France hoisted the trophy and captain Antoine Dupont has called for stronger focus going forward as his side, with 3 wins from as many outings, stands a real chance of being crowned champions for 2022. 

Following the recent Scottish clash, Dupont said: 

 “We’re very satisfied with this victory because it’s very difficult to win at BT Murrayfield, but we still have two matches to play and we have to remain cautious. 

“We haven’t won the tournament for 12 years and we have to aim for that. 

“But we have to make sure we are not complacent. We have to be rigorous.” 

Wales received some positive news earlier this week as Alun Wyn Jones returns to the training sessions, as part of his shoulder injury rehabilitation and could take part in the competition this year.  

“Never say never,” Pivac said. “I probably wouldn’t enter into the conversation if it was anyone else to be quite honest, but the guy (AWJ) has broken so many records. 

“I honestly say that I would never say never but it’ll be a long shot, let’s just say that, but Alun Wyn is working incredibly hard behind the scenes to get himself in the best shape possible to be as ready as quickly as he can for Ospreys or Wales.” 

Wales’ most recent action came against the English in a tight battle which ended in favour of the latter: 

If the French manage to pull it off this weekend, it will be their first win in Cardiff since 2010. Friday night fixtures are no strangers to the venue which has hosted nine of them since 2009. There are slight worries that, because it is a Friday evening, some ten thousand tickets will go unsold – not great news for the men in red who could use all the support they can muster.  

“There are a few seats left. It would be great to see those seats filled up,” Pivac said. 

“Both sides want to play an entertaining brand of rugby and I think you have got the side at the moment who are probably the in-form team in the world in France. 

“We certainly have had a couple of great games against them in recent times, so I think it will be a cracker.” 

The Wales boss has made four changes to his side from Round 3; Josh Navidi and Seb Davies come into the back row while Nick Tompkins falls out of the squad with concussion, replaced by the experienced Jonathan Davies. In the front row, Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones at loosehead. 

Earlier this week, Wales captain Dan Biggar made special mention of the influence of French defence coach Shaun Edwards on Les Bleus. Edwards was a key member of Warren Gatland’s Welsh coaching staff and has cultivated a reputation as arguably the best in his field. 

"It is a very different team we are playing now to years gone past," Biggar said. 

"Shaun has made a huge difference going in there and he has added some real discipline and work ethic. 

"They have always been talented - we've always come up against monstrous athletes and hugely-talented players - but I think they have got that real edge to them now and they look the real deal." 

However, despite the flattering picture Biggar paints of them, he indicted at great self-belief amongst his charges. 

"We are quietly confident. We are quite happy for France, for (Antoine) Dupont, (Romain) Ntamack and Shaun to take the headlines and the stardust and things. 

"We are hoping to go quietly under the radar and do our business." 

The last time the sides encountered each other, there was not much in it as the final whistle sounded with the score at 32-30: 

Some words from French boss Fabien Galthie ahead of the clash: 

"Wales are a brilliant team who play in a brilliant stadium: 80,000 supporters, people who accompany you as you leave the bus all the way to the changing rooms, the Welsh choir, the show before the game, that gives you goosebumps. 
 
 

"It's what is magnificent about rugby, a country with a small population but which produces players by the hundred. With Raphaël (Ibanez) we were brought up on the generation of Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams.” 

Match facts: 

• Wales have lost each of their last two meetings with France in the Guinness Six Nations, this after winning seven of their previous eight clashes in the Championship. 

• France have won their last six Test matches, their best run since winning six on the bounce in 2006. They’ve not won more consecutive international matches since a run of eight straight victories in 2004, which included a victory in Cardiff. 

• The top two ball carries in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations could feature in this match, France’s Gregory Alldritt has made the most of any player (41) while Wales’ Liam Williams has made the second most and the most of any back (38). 

• France have trailed at half-time in just one of their last 31 Test matches, going into the break ahead on 27 occasions and level three times. The last time they trailed after the opening 40 minutes of a match was against Scotland in March 2020.