{"id":40861,"date":"2020-02-21T12:24:29","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T12:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=40861"},"modified":"2020-02-21T12:24:29","modified_gmt":"2020-02-21T12:24:29","slug":"six-nations-wales-host-france-in-must-win-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/02\/21\/six-nations-wales-host-france-in-must-win-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Nations: Wales host France in must-win clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2018We have to win every game now, that is the challenge\u2019 \u2013 Wayne Pivac\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/PIVAC-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Head coach Wayne Pivac is looking forward to the challenge of facing unbeaten France at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Photo credit: WRU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>DEFENDING champions Wales aim to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive in a must-win third round clash against current leaders France, on Saturday evening.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Les Bleus remain unbeaten in the championship after impressive wins over England and Italy, while Wales suffered a disappointing 24-14 loss in Dublin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\nknow we\u2019ve got a better performance in us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re\nvery pleased to be back at home, with a sell-out\ncrowd, and we\u2019re looking forward to the challenge,\u201d said head\ncoach, Wayne Pivac.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>France have not won in Cardiff since 2010. Pivac hopes a win at the Principality can reignite Wales\u2019 challenge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I\nthink this Saturday is a big test for both teams. It&#8217;s a very big test.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It\nwill be interesting to see how both teams approach the game but from our point\nof view, it&#8217;s to keep ourselves alive and we are looking for a very big\nperformance,&#8221; he\nsaid.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Leigh\nHalfpenny said he wanted to\nput things right in front of the home crowd.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We\nhave to win every game now and that is the challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are\nhugely excited about that, but have to put in a performance against France,\u201d he\nsaid.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/TOMPKINS-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Nick Tompkins retains his place in the starting XV. Photo credit: WRU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Pivac has made two\nchanges to the starting\nXV who faced Ireland.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gareth Davies starts at scrum-half over Tomos Williams, while flanker Ross Moriarty starts over fellow Dragons back row, Aaron Wainwright.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Pivac praised the energy\nthey brought off the bench in previous Six Nations\nfixtures.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Wales\u2019\nfront and second row remain unchanged with Wyn Jones, Ken\nOwens, Dillon Lewis; Jake\nBall and captain, Alun Wyn Jones.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Dan\nBiggar returns to the starting XV after\nsuffering his third head injury in six months against Ireland.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s gone through the regular process and passed those\nwith flying colours,&#8221; said Pivac.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Pivac said a\nworld leading concussion specialist was involved\nin the medical protocol.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Josh Adams also returns after suffering a\nknock to the hip in the Ireland game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Adams, alongside George North and\nHalfpenny, make up the back\nthree.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/biggar-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Dan Biggar has passed all medical protocol after suffering his third head injury in six months against Ireland. Photo credit: WRU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Nick\nTompkins retains his place, despite Owen Watkin\u2019s return\nto the squad after successful knee surgery.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Louis\nRees-Zammit has been released back to Gloucester as he awaits his first cap.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>France,\nalongside Ireland, remain unbeaten in their Six Nations campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Fabien Galthi\u00e9\u2019s side have\nmade one change, with EPCR European Player\nof the Year nominee<strong> <\/strong>Virimi Vakatawa returning to\nthe team after injury.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Ga\u00ebl\nFickou shifts to the\nwing in place of injured Vincent Rattez, who\nsuffered a broken fibula in France\u2019s 35-22 win over Italy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Wales\nhave won eight of their last nine games against Les Bleus \u2013 the last\nof which was a 20-19 win in the\n2019 World Cup quarter final in Japan.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In\nlast year\u2019s Six Nations meeting, France threw away a 16-point lead at half\ntime.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt definitely gives us belief. It\u2019s a never-say-die attitude. We had our backs against the wall,\u201d said prop Wyn Jones.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\njust rolled our sleeves up and came back,\u201d he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Uncapped\nWasps lock Will Rowlands, who is named on the Wales bench, is likely to get his\nfirst chance on the international\nstage.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The\nWelsh team has 859 caps \u2013 the\nmost experienced starting XV in the history of the Six Nations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Pivac hopes this experience\nwill come through and test some of the inexperienced\nplayers in the French side.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/SHAUN-EDWARDS-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Wales will come up against their former defence coach, Shaun Edwards, who joined the French coaching team in November. Photo credit: WRU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Wales\nwill be reunited with their former defence coach, Shaun Edwards, who joined the\nFrench coaching team at the end of last year after 12 years with Wales.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It will be weird facing him, but that is rugby &#8211; time\nmoves on. It is exciting to be going up against his defensive style,\u201d\nsaid Halfpenny.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The\nWelsh scrum faced criticism after the Ireland match.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Dillon\nLewis conceded a\npenalty in a crucial moment of the game\nwhen Wales were near the Irish try line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Earlier\nin the week, loose-head prop Wyn Jones said he\nexpected France to bend the rules at the scrum.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We know they&#8217;ll hit and chase and cheat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s something we&#8217;re fully aware of and something we&#8217;ve\ngot to combat on the day,\u201d he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>France coach Fabien Galthie said the comments showed a \u201clack of respect\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Two Rounds down and three to go. <br><br>Who do you think will be top of the log on Super Saturday?<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GuinnessSixNations?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GuinnessSixNations<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/J5IKF7U3by\">pic.twitter.com\/J5IKF7U3by<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SixNationsRugby\/status\/1227911544245227521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 13, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>France and Ireland, the only unbeaten teams in the Championship, take on third and fourth placed Wales and England.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Elsewhere,\nEngland take on Ireland at Twickenham while bottom of the table\nItaly face Scotland in Rome.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf we\ncan get the win and England do a job at home then what an exciting Championship we\u2019ve got with\ntwo games remaining,\u201d said Pivac.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The\nmatch starts at 4.45pm on Saturday,\nFebruary 20. Follow @cardiffian_news for live\ntweet coverage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Teams:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Wales:<\/strong>\u202fHalfpenny;\nNorth, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis,\nBall, AW Jones (C), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Replacements:<\/em>\u202fElias,\nR Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>France:\u202f<\/strong>Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont;\nBaille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (C),\nAlldritt.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Replacements:<\/em>\u202fChat,\nGros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin,\nSerin, Jalibert, Ramos.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018We have to win every game now, that is the challenge\u2019 \u2013 Wayne Pivac\u00a0 DEFENDING champions Wales aim to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive in a must-win third round clash against current leaders France, on Saturday evening.\u00a0\u00a0 Les Bleus remain unbeaten in the championship after impressive wins over England and Italy, while Wales suffered a disappointing 24-14 loss in Dublin.\u00a0 \u201cWe know we\u2019ve got a better performance in us.&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWe\u2019re very pleased to be back at home, with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":40888,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,151,4,113],"tags":[759,591,760,761,762,154,671,328,242,763,594,243,764,765],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-40861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-lead","category-rugby","category-sport","category-uncategorised","tag-alun-wyn-jones","tag-dan-biggar","tag-gareth-davies","tag-nick-tompkins","tag-ross-moriarty","tag-rugby-2","tag-rugby-union","tag-six-nations","tag-six-nations-championship","tag-six-nations-rugby","tag-wales-v-france","tag-wayne-pivac","tag-welsh-rugby","tag-welsh-rugby-union"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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