France v Wales exact scoreline predicted as Gatland's team to show fight but things could turn ugly
Wales face the daunting task of kicking off their 2025 Six Nations campaign in Paris this evening.
Warren Gatland has been boosted by the return of a number of experienced heads to his squad for this year's tournament, but facing them in the French capital tonight is one of the best teams on the planet right now.
Here, our writers predict how they see this one going....
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Steffan Thomas: France have too much power and quality for Wales
You'd be hard pressed to find anybody tipping Wales to come out on top against France on Friday night. In fact, the majority of people expect Wales to suffer a heavy defeat in the French capital.
Personally, I think Warren Gatland's side will be more competitive than predicted. Wales are firm underdogs and the pressure is all on France after an outstanding autumn campaign which resulted in a stunning victory over the All Blacks.
This is almost a shot to nothing for Wales but they need something to build on ahead of next weekend's must-win clash with Italy in Rome. Gatland has opted for experience in all but one position, with Evan Lloyd given the nod at hooker over Elliot Dee.
Lloyd is a physical specimen and an explosive carrier who will add some physicality to the front five but I worry about the lineout. The lineout is a collective effort but he has never convinced at this aspect of the game and if Wales are to keep it close they simply have to win their own ball.
I think Wales will roll their sleeves up and get stuck into France but their two-man tackle success will be vital because if France get their offloading game going then it's curtains for Gatland's men. Expect Wales to kick a lot and with the outlawing of the 'escort' runners they could get some success in the air.
The back-three of Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Tom Rogers are all good in the air and will compete hard. Wales must not allow themselves to be overpowered, while both Jac Morgan and James Botham must find a way of slowing down the speed of the French ruck ball.
So, in a nutshell Wales to be competitive but the superior power of the France pack combined with the genius of Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Yoram Moefana and Louis Bielle-Biarrey will see the hosts win comfortably in the end.
France 38-22 Wales
Ben James: Paris can offer hope once again for Gatland 2.0, but things could get ugly
As is often the case in the weeks before Test matches, particularly when there's a two-week build-up like this one, a point is often made, then re-made, then hammered home once more for good measure.
I've lost track of the times Wales' visit to 2019 has been mentioned, when Warren Gatland kicked off his Six Nations swansong with a tournament record comeback to set in motion one final Grand Slam. Wales and Gatland are a different beast now, though.
Since his return, Gatland has won just one of 10 Six Nations matches, while he's lost the last 12 internationals with Wales. In 2019, Wales were scaling new heights - reaching number one in the world rankings for the first time.
Now, 11th in the world - a new low - they're plumbing new depths. The nadir being shifted week on week.
There's been no mention of the last visit to Paris, when a Wales side with more than 1,000 caps in the squad went to the French capital at a time when Welsh rugby appeared, as it so often does, on its knees.
With the backdrop of a strike narrowly avoided, the Parisian capital - with high piles of binbags lining the streets amid a strike of their own - served as the perfect metaphor for where Welsh rugby was then (and still is now, in all honesty).
Believe it or not, that day ended with some hope. Four tries and the sense this squad could come out of the mire with something. A World Cup quarter-final months later in the same country proved that.
That was the solitary high point in a reign of lows.
The current quagmire has been longer in its all-enveloping misery. A year of defeats. Gatland's job is on the line. He'll hope he can find some hope in Paris this weekend, ahead of the must-win clash in Rome.
Something within me, be it pride or foolishness, thinks Wales can make it close on Friday night. Be awkward, be street-wise, win the aerial battle and see what happens.
But it's hard to look past the talent in this French side and the misery of the last year.
France 46-17 Wales
John Jones: Wales to stay in the fight but France are just too good
It would be quite the understatement to say that expectations are pretty low for this one.
After a winless 2024, which saw Wales taste defeat in every Test match they played, pick up a Six Nations Wooden Spoon and set a new record losing streak of 12 games and counting, it’s hardly surprising.
No matter how many glorious Six Nations runs have come before this, no matter how proud a nation we are, you’d be hard pressed to find any Welsh supporter who wholeheartedly believes that Warren Gatland’s side will be able to topple this mighty French side on their own turf.
Losing has well and truly become a habit for Wales, with several players still yet to experience a win at Test level. And, as they look to climb out of the almighty rut they find themselves in, they have been dealt arguably the toughest hand possible on the opening weekend.
Even a team at the top of their game would start to sweat looking at the names that will take to the pitch for the home side in Paris tonight - and Wales are a long way off that.
Long story short, it will be a French win. The hosts simply have too much power, too much class and too much star quality for Wales to deal with, and it will be fairly comfortable for them in the end.
Saying that, however, I think we will see an improved Wales side and certainly not the massacre that some are forecasting.
The return of the likes of Josh Adams and Liam Williams - class operators and proven winners at this level - is huge for this Welsh team and I really like the look of the back three featuring them and Tom Rogers. The lack of firepower in midfield is a cause for concern, however.
I’m really interested to see what will happen up front, with Henry Thomas and Evan Lloyd given an almighty task on their first Wales starts. And if the rest of the forward pack can deliver the performances we know they are capable of, then at the very least Wales will hold their own in the physical battle and frustrate their opponents.
I think Wales will keep themselves in the fight, and it’s so important that they do - not just for the here and now but for their hopes in the rest of the tournament as well. Keep it tight, bring on Italy. Fall apart, and you fear that dismal losing run will stretch into the summer.
France 36-19 Wales
