France vs Wales predictions, betting tips and odds: Les Bleus can deliver a statement of Six Nations intent
Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for France vs Wales in the Six Nations on Friday
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Where to watch France vs Wales
You can watch France vs Wales on ITV1 & S4C at 8pm on Friday, January 31
France vs Wales best bet
France to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 15-4 bet365
This weekend's best Six Nations betting offers
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30/1 Ireland To Beat Wales
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France vs Wales odds
Match betting
France | 1-100 with bet365 |
Wales | 16-1 with bet365 |
Handicap betting
France -28.5 | Evs with bet365 |
Wales +28.5 | 4-5 with bet365 |
Odds correct at time of publishing
France vs Wales predictions
They say it's not about how you start, it's how you finish. But there's no doubt that a good start can define a team's campaign in the Six Nations, and France have been handed the opportunity to do just that.
It couldn't have gone any worse for Les Bleus in 2024 as they found themselves 17-0 down and reduced to 14 men after only 30 minutes of their opener at home to Ireland. They went on to lose 38-17 and the ante-post favourites again had to settle for second place.
France were missing some key players in last year's tournament, but they have star half-back pairing Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack back fit and firing for the opening act of this year's championship against a Wales team who look light on power and experience in key areas.
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Wales coach Warren Gatland raised eyebrows when he named uncapped Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards in his squad in place of the injured Sam Costelow, who was himself seen as a bold selection call last year. Edwards is on the bench to face France with Cardiff's Ben Thomas, more usually seen at centre, wearing the number ten shirt.
Up front Gatland is missing Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Ben Carter and Archie Griffin through injury, and although Liam Williams and Josh Adams add plenty of experience out wide, from one to ten Wales look seriously up against it.
France have a huge, powerful pack and a six-two split of forwards to backs on the bench so the physical challenge will be immense, and although the hosts have injuries of their own in the backline, including to Jonathan Danty and Damian Penaud, they have young talent waiting in the wings.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has scored ten tries in 14 matches for France, is just 21 years old while Theo Attissogbe, 20, has scored two tries in three caps and has crossed the line in his last two matches for club Pau.
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30/1 Ireland To Beat Wales
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Wales have been handed a handicap start in the high 20s, the biggest they have been given since they faced Clive Woodward's England at Twickenham in 2002.
Double-figure starts are something of a rarity for Wales. In the last ten years it's happened on seven occasions in the Six Nations and they have covered the line five times.
It should be France's night but it might be expecting too much of them to click into gear from the off, while Wales do have a history of fighting back – they were trailing 27-0 to Scotland in their opener last year and ended up losing 27-26.
It might not be so tense this year, however, and a Les Bleus win by 11 to 20 points looks the best bet.
France vs Wales team line-ups
France: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barrassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); 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: 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 (c), Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
Read more on the Six Nations . . .
Six Nations: France stars Bielle-Biarrey and Dupont tipped for individual honours
Ireland vs England predictions: Excellent Ireland to prove too good for uncertain England
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