Summary

  • Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made four changes to his team to face France at the Principality Stadium on Sunday (15:10 GMT).

  • In come Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins and Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell. Props Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis also start.

  • Tandy has named five forwards and three backs on the bench, with Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias and Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans coming into the squad.

  • Wales were comprehensively beaten 48-7 by England in their opening game, while France beat Ireland 36-14.

  • Have your say on the team announcement and all things Welsh rugby using the 'Get Involved' box below.

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  1. Postpublished at 09:48 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Sorry Evan, the people have spoken - with the thumbs down replies at least.

    It looks like Dave is with the majority.

  2. What makes 'incredible' Bielle-Biarrey a generational talent?published at 09:46 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Rugby Special's Ugo Monye, Chris Ashton and John Barclay praise France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey's ability to perform consistently for his age, and put his success down to the combination of his physical attributes and his "relentless" mentality.

  3. Last time the two nations metpublished at 09:44 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Antoine Dupont in action for France against Wales in 2025Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    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.

    Speaking of Bielle-Biarrey...

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:41 GMT 13 February

    Use the 'Send us your views' box

    Looks like some disagreement in the comments, particularly when it comes to the inclusion of Taine Plumtree in the squad.

    Not sure what Dave from Pontyclun is thinking but no, the mind does not boggle. Very sensible selection from Tandy.

    Evan, Cardiff

  5. A popular return to Cardiffpublished at 09:39 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    France defence coach Shaun EdwardsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales will have to tighten up their defence against the potent French attack, while they will also have to work hard for any points.

    Shaun Edwards is one of Fabien Galthie's assistants and will have Les Bleus well drilled.

    The rugby league legend enjoyed great success as Wales defence coach, helping win four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams (2008, 2012, 2019).

    He has been working with France since 2019 and hopes to add to the 2022 Grand Slam.

    "I know Shaun well, I worked with him with Wales, Cardiff and the Ospreys and he's a world-class coach," said attack coach Matt Sherratt.

    "It's more about the players going against their defence rather than me against Shaun because, on and off the pitch, he's pretty formidable."

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:36 GMT 13 February

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    The Wales second rows are lucky to get another start.

    John, Gilfach Goch

    Why is Plumtree included in the matchday squad when players such as Tommy Reffell, Morgan Morse and Ross Moriarty are available?

    Huw, Swansea

  7. What Wales will be facingpublished at 09:33 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    France's Fabien Galthie and Antoine Dupont with the Six Nations trophyImage 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 changes to his line-up for the trip to Cardiff.

    Centre Fabien Brau-Boirie will make his international debut and he is joined in midfield by Pau 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.

    Read the full story about their team here.

  8. Postpublished at 09:31 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Time to take a quick look at the rugby juggernaut heading to Cardiff this weekend before Steve Tandy speaks to the media.

    You can watch Tandy's press conference live right here, just click play at the top of the page at 10:00 GMT.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:28 GMT 13 February

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    Where is Harri Deaves? Taine Plumtree on the bench? The mind boggles.

    David, Pontyclun

  10. Tens of thousands of Six Nations tickets unsoldpublished at 09:25 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Steve Tandy is looking forward to returning to the Principality Stadium, but the same cannot be said for everyone.

    Tens of thousands of tickets remain unsold for Wales' three home fixtures in this year's Six Nations.

    Games at the Principality Stadium usually sell out or reach high capacity for a tournament that has traditionally been a highlight of the Welsh sporting calendar.

    But on Thursday afternoon there were 15,700 unsold for Sunday's clash with France, 6,700 left for Scotland a week later and 27,000 up for grabs when Italy visit in March, according to the WRU's official ticket site.

    Read more: Tens of thousands of Six Nations tickets unsold

    Wales fans outside stadiumImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:22 GMT 13 February

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    About as strong as it gets. Josh Adams, Adam Beard and Dewi Lake are very fortunate to keep their places. If Lake starts missing line-outs again he needs to be hooked.

    Michael, Milford Haven

  12. Home comforts?published at 09:20 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Principality Stadium before a rugby gameImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Jarrod Evans' last-kick winner against Japan in the autumn ended a 10-match losing streak in Cardiff for Wales.

    Their last success at Principality Stadium in the Six Nations was against Scotland in February 2022.

    Wales shipped half-centuries against England, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa in the capital last year.

    However, Steve Tandy hopes that the support can give his side a boost in their bid to upset the odds.

    "We’re excited to get back to Principality Stadium. We had four games in the autumn and the crowd was incredible," said the head coach.

    "I know I've spoken a lot about the New Zealand game - the crowd, the energy it brought and the response from players.

    "The supporters mean a huge amount to us and they do inspire the players. Our aim on the weekend is to inspire the fans too."

  13. 'We played into England's hands' - Tandypublished at 09:16 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Wales head coach Steve TandyImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales head coach Steve Tandy will go through his selections at his 10:00 GMT press conference but here are some quotes from the press release announcing the line-up.

    Tandy said: "A lot of it is based on who we are playing and then Olly Cracknell has done a full training week this week and also played really well in the autumn.

    "We were bitterly disappointed with the performance last week. We've addressed it in meetings. The boys were open and honest around the fact that we didn't put ourselves on the game.

    "We felt we played into England's hands a little bit and obviously the discipline was hugely disappointing.

    "It's a massive lesson for us. It's something we need to correct and put more of our game out on the field on Sunday."

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:13 GMT 13 February

    Use the 'Send us your views' box

    You have to feel for Ben Thomas. He's been going really well for Cardiff, but for some reason it hasn't worked in a Welsh shirt. Glad to see he's getting a break.

    Dave, Swansea

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:11 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Have your say on Wales' team to play France by using the 'send us your views' box on the left-hand side of the page,

  16. Return to a 5-3 split on benchpublished at 09:09 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Jarrod Evans kicks the winning penalty for Wales against JapanImage source, Huw E

    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.

    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 Sunday's game.

    Of the other nations, England, Ireland and Italy have 6-2 splits but Scotland go with 5-3.

  17. Ryan's returnpublished at 09:06 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Scarlets hooker Ryan EliasImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Plenty of attention is, rightly, on the four players who have returned to Wales' XV but there is also a notable inclusion on the bench in Ryan Elias.

    The 31-year-old Scarlets hooker is set for his first appearance under Steve Tandy, and 45th cap, when coming on for captain Dewi Lake.

    Elias missed the autumn internationals because of elbow surgery but has since returned impressively for his club.

    The strong-scrummaging hooker will add some bulk off the bench when making his first Wales appearance since the 2024 autumn series.

    Cardiff's Liam Belcher is the unlucky man to miss out on the 23.

  18. Swapping the propspublished at 09:03 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Tomas Francis in training with WalesImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Tandy tinkered with his front row throughout the autumn, switching the starting roles for the props.

    This time he gives the nod to Rhys Carre in the 1 jersey and Tomas Francis on the other side.

    The Sale-bound tight-head has spent the last three seasons with Provence in France's second tier.

    After returning off the bench against England, Sunday will be his first international start since the 2023 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

  19. Wales make four changespublished at 09:00 GMT 13 February
    Breaking

    Six Nations 2026

    Here is the Wales team to face France.

    Four changes to the XV with centre Joe Hawkins, loose-head Rhys Carre, tight-head Tomas Francis and number eight Olly Cracknell coming in.

    Hooker Ryan Elias and fly-half Jarrod Evans come into the 23 as replacements.

    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.

    Joe HawkinsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  20. Postpublished at 08:59 GMT 13 February

    Six Nations 2026

    Ok, here comes the team...