France v Wales start time and TV channel for Six Nations
France host Wales in the opening match of the 2025 Six Nations.
Wales will have the challenge of facing arguably the world's greatest player, Antoine Dupont, when they take on Les Bleus on Friday night. Starring fly-half Romain Ntamack also returns to the Six Nations arena after suffering a long-term knee injury prior to the World Cup.
Warren Gatland's team have not won an international rugby match since they defeated Georgia in the pool stages of that tournament. The Kiwi boss has kept his job after a review by the Welsh Rugby Union and has now been challenged with achieving success in the upcoming tournament.
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Gatland has named a number of experienced Test match stars in his squad for this tournament. The likes of Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau will prove invaluable in the coming weeks. The latter will not play in the match against France tonight due to a minor injury, but he's expected to be back for the Italy game.
Here's everything you need to know about the France v Wales game in Paris.
When is France v Wales?
France v Wales kicks off at 8.15pm on Friday, January 31 at Stade de France in Paris.
Viewing details
For viewers in the United Kingdom, France v Wales is being shown live on ITV1. You can therefore live stream the game by using the ITV X app, but you will need an ITV account and TV licence for this option.
The coverage starts at 7.30pm and concludes at 10.35pm.
The match is also being shown live on S4C. You can live stream the game by using the BBC's iPlayer or S4C's Clic app, but you will need a BBC/S4C account and a TV licence.
The coverage starts at 7.30pm and concludes at 10.45pm.
Team news
France XV: Ramos; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont; Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio, Roumat, Meafou, Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Colombe, Guillard, Auradou, Jegou, Le Garrec, Gailleton.
Wales XV: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (captain), Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
What have the coaches said?
France head coach Fabien Galthie: "It's impossible to predict what's going to happen. Last year, we started with a defeat against Ireland in Marseille in a match where we played for a long time with 14 players. We learned a lot from the last tournament where we had to fight throughout the competition with a match that gave us the right to hope to win it, we finished second.
"For this tournament, our staff has knowledge and experience that allow us to improve our preparation. We prepare even better previously. We have a framework with players who have been playing in this competition for six years. An experience is starting to thicken for the framework. We have the feeling of being ready."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "I'm excited. The boys have been good. We’ve spoken about there being more pressure on France. There’s not a lot of expectation on us. They expect them to go out and score tries. From experience, teams can overplay early on. That gives you opportunities. For us, we look back at last year and were in front for 60 minutes. Their bench came on to great effect."
