France v Wales Six Nations 2025 Preview
It’s that time of year again when the Six Nations come around and fans from all nations get together in the hope of their team's glory. However, for Welsh fans, this year has a far contrasting feeling of doubt and dread heading into the tournament.
Nothing cements this feeling more than a trip to Paris to face France in the opening match of this year's tournament.
Here is all you need to know ahead of the first match of the 2025 Six Nations on Friday night as France hosts Wales in Paris.
Previous Six Nations Meetings
2020- Wales 23-27 France
2021- France 32-30 Wales
2022- Wales 9-13 France
2023- France 41-28 Wales
2024- Wales 24-45 France
One thing history will teach us is that this game will have tries in abundance and even in the most recent fixtures when Wales have been off peak form they still can take the game to France.
Team News
France Starting XV
Jean-Baptiste Gros
Peato Mauvaka
Uini Antonio
Alexandre Roumat
Emmanuel Meafou
Francois Cros
Paul Boudehent
Gregory Alldritt
Antoine Dupont ©
Romaine Ntamack
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Yoram Moefana
Pierre-Louis Barrasi
Theo Attissogbe
Thomas Ramos
This is a very strong French team. The return of both Dupont and Ntamack to this year's six nations can certainly boost the French squad's hopes of tournament glory although the injury omissions of Damien Penaud, Gael Fickou and Charles Ollivon present an unwanted headache in selection.
Wales Starting XV
Gareth Thomas
Evan Lloyd
Henry Thomas
Will Rowlands
Dafydd Jenkins
James Botham
Jac Morgan ©
Aaron Wainwright
Tomos Williams
Ben Thomas
Josh Adams
Owen Watkin
Nick Tompkins
Tom Rogers
Liam Williams
Wales suffered from an incredible lack of experience during the Autumn and although key names have returned to the squad in Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins the potential question mark still stands with the fly-half jersey with Ben Thomas making just his third appearance at number 10 for Wales.
Players to Watch
France - Antoine Dupont
Dupont missed last year's Six Nations after committing to his Olympic 7’s medal bid but this year he is back and better than ever.
Argued as one of the greatest scrum halves and players of all time Dupont can turn a game on its head in an instant and is forever a threat around the field.
His link-up with Ntamack will also be such an exciting and promising combination which will be a pure joy to watch.
Wales - Tom Rogers
The young Scarlet winger was really impressive during the autumn and has had a fine start to the season at club level.
Full of pace and with some dancing footwork as well Rogers can be more than a handful should he get the chance to showcase his ability.
Where to Watch the Game
Kick-off is at 20:15 on Friday 31st January at the Stade de France in Paris. In the UK, France vs Wales is being shown live and free-to-air on ITV1 and Welsh-language channel S4C, with coverage beginning on both at 7:30 pm.
You’ll be able to listen to the coverage on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru (Welsh Language), BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.