Benjamin Kayser
Former France hooker on BBC One

I was very impressed with France against Ireland. They've got the building blocks, the strategy has been proven right, the decision making has been right, and now it's about confirming that.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales went with six forwards on their bench at Twickenham but have, somewhat surprisingly, gone back to the 'normal' five forwards and three backs against the French.

Head coach Steve Tandy went with a 5-3 split throughout the autumn and returns to that with Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans, the last-kick hero against Japan, benefiting from that decision.

Scarlets back-row forward Taine Plumtree - whose discipline is always under the microscope - remains in the 23.

France have gone with six forwards on the bench for today's game.

Of the other nations, England, Ireland and Italy went with 6-2 splits yesterday while Scotland went with 5-3.

Oh Warren...

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Dewi Lake has had to conduct too many post-match interviews in an emotional state after heavy defeats.

There is an argument that the Wales hooker, who is leading the side in the absence of Jac Morgan, would benefit from the weight of captaincy being taken off him.

Locks Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard have been touted as possible options but the Exeter forward has given his backing to Lake.

You can read that story on the BBC Sport website here.

As an aside, Wales will be boosted by the return of the experience Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias to replace Lake in the closing stages.

Sam Warburton
Former Wales captain on BBC One

When it comes to international time, I heard a stat that there’s 72% of households that watch Wales when we play in the Six Nations.

You have to turn up for those people who just want to see their national team win.

A lot of people don’t know what’s going on at domestic level. The players will be able to compartmentalise that.

I don’t think that can be any excuse for a poor performance.

There are set to be plenty of empty seats here this afternoon, a result of Wales' off-field turmoil and on-field struggles.

On Friday head coach Steve Tandy pleaded with supporters to back his side loudly, as they did memorably against New Zealand in the autumn.

France are heavy favourites today, so no surprise that most of you predict a French win.

But let us have your score predictions - click the 'Send us your views' box to have your say.

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Wales' leaky defence has been a worry with England only denied a half century by the post last weekend after George Ford narrowly failed with a conversion.

France head to Cardiff with a formidable attack that is marshalled by superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

"You know at some point he’ll have a moment, or a couple of moments," said Wales head coach Steve Tandy about the Toulouse livewire.

"Great players will have moments but you can help yourself, whether that's in attack or defence. It’s knowing where we can limit those moments in the game.

"You have to be aware of his strengths around the breakdown, kicks off both feet. "You can’t cover everything."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Speaking of last night's game, this is the second tussle of the weekend between Wales and France in Cardiff.

Round two of the Under-20s Six Nations took place next door at the Arms Park last night and it was a cracker.

Wales went toe-to-toe with their much-fancied visitors and led in the final quarter before a pair of late French tries.

Richard Whiffin's side put in another performance to be proud of but, like against England on opening weekend, were edged out late on.

Read the full match report from that fixture here.

Image source, Getty Images

The struggle to sell tickets has been well documented because of Wales' struggles and the off-field uncertainty.

However, the Welsh Rugby Union will be pleased that there is such a big French contingent to boost the coffers.

The streets around the stadium were full of travelling supporters before the game, plenty of them getting stuck in at Cardiff's pubs.

'Allez les Bleus' rang out loudly at the Under-20s Six Nations game last night and expect 'La Marseillaise' to be boomed out at around 3pm.

Image source, Getty Images

This Cardiff fixture brings round two to an end after Scotland thrashed England and Ireland edged out Italy.

Here's the action from Murrayfield and the Aviva Stadium.

France have threats all over the place with Louis Bielle-Biarrey ready to punish Wales if there is a chance down the left wing.

The 22-year-old helped Bordeaux-Begles win the Champions Cup in Cardiff last year.

The prolific speedster scored 33 tries in 30 games last season and crossed twice against Ireland last week to hit 20 for 2025-26.

Image source, Getty Images

Wales have not beaten France since the 2019 World Cup quarter-final in Japan.

It's seven defeats on the spin and last year they met in round one when Les Bleus eased to a 43-0 win in Paris.

Wings Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both crossed for two tries as the hosts led 28-0 at half-time.

Replacements Julien Marchand and Emilien Gailleton and number eight Gregory Alldritt scored tries after the break to complete the drubbing.

Image source, Getty Images

France got off to a flying start when easing past Ireland in Paris in round one.

Head coach Fabien Galthie makes two enforced changes to his line-up for the trip to Cardiff.

Exciting Pau centre Fabien Brau-Boirie will make his international debut and the 20-year-old is joined in midfield by club teammate Emilien Gailleton.

There is also a potential debut off the bench for Stade Francais centre Noah Nene.

France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.

Replacements: Lamothe, Neti, Montagne, Flament, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Nene.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Steve Tandy resisted the temptation to wield the axe after the round one shocker at England.

The Wales head coach makes four changes to his XV with physical Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell and Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins returning.

Props Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis are promoted from the bench, swapping roles with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin.

Flanker Josh Macleod and Ben Thomas miss out on the matchday 23.

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Carter, Plumtree, Hardy, J Evans, Grady.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

After the drama of yesterday's games in Dublin and Edinburgh, will we get a contest in Cardiff?

It's fair to say that the supporters in red are not going to their seats at Principality Stadium with great expectations.

Wales' last Six Nations win in Cardiff was against Scotland in February 2022 and England, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa scored half-centuries in the capital last year.

Steve Tandy won't want France, with their wealth of attacking talent, to join them.

Let's have a look at the teams...