Six Nations 2010: Wales v France match preview

By Brendan Gallagher Published: 10:13AM GMT twenty-five February 2010

Clash of the titans: Ryan Jones (left) contingency stop Imanol Harinordoquy Photo: GETTY IMAGES/AFP

Six Nations Championship

Friday, February twenty-six Wales v France Millennium Stadium, CardiffKick-off: 20.00TV: BBC 1, BBC HD

Jauzion a hazard for Wales France on the cot Fall on wing opposite Wales Gatland turns to TV to compromise Wales damage predicament Dusautoir proves a big strike Sport on radio

Touchline Duel: Marc Lievremont is on a hurl and has finaly got the French rugby open at the behind of him, the inconsistencies of the last dual years right away being mostly forgiven.

This is a main diversion for Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, however, notwithstanding a some-more than competent jot down of 9 wins in twelve Six Nations games together. Lose opposite the French and all they will have to show to illustrate far will be that supernatural last-gasp win over Scotland when they were outplayed for prolonged spells. Win, however, and they can still plea for the pretension and the critics west of the Severn will be silenced.

Talking Tactics: Wales are obviously most appropriate when on the conflict and that behind multiplication could be something to spy if it fires properly. The Welsh fans shouldn"t have to wait, however, until the diversion is scarcely lost prior to Wales holder it up. Wales have to up the gait and dash from the begin and their forwards, in all the backrow, have to safeguard discerning receive at the breakdown.

France, meanwhile, have an all-court diversion and, nonetheless they have the backs to compare Wales, it competence be that a useful track one proceed up front is indicated. With the key of Julien Bonnaire in the backrow, their line-out is additionally most strengthened and design them to launch most of their attacks from such first possession.

Head to Head: Imanol Harinordoquy has been France"s superb brazen of new seasons and he stays in budding form, a one man wrecking appurtenance and a pretentious line-out forward. He sets the standards for France up front and Wales will be in difficulty if captain Ryan Jones can"t compare him.

Jones wasn"t seen to most appropriate value opposite the violent Scottish backrow, but he was handling in a Welsh contingent that struggled generally. This time he - and Martyn Williams and Jonathan Thomas - have to encounter glow with fire.

And an additional thing: France might have not long ago degraded the All Blacks, South Africa and Ireland but they have nonetheless to win 3 matches in a row underneath manager Marc Lievremont, who took over after the 2007 World Cup.

Match details:

Wales XV: L Byrne (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), R Rees (Cardiff Blues); P James, H Bennett,A Jones (all Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues, R JOnes (Ospreys, capt)Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), R Gill (Saracens), L Chateris (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), M Phillips (Ospreys), A Bishop (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues)

France XV: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse); J Malzieu (Clermont), M Bastareaud (Stade Francais), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), A Palisson (Brive); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), M Parra (Clermont); T Domingo (Clermont), W Servat (Toulouse), N Maz (Perpignan), L Nallet (Racing Metro 92), J Pierre (Clermont) T Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), J Bonnaire (Clermont), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz)Replacements: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais) J-B Poux (Toulouse), S Chabal (Racing Metro 92), A Lapandry (Clermont), F Michalak (Toulouse), D Marty (Perpignan), M Andreu (Castres)

Referee: J Kaplan (South Africa)

Referee"s Assistants: A Lewis (Ireland), S McDowell (Ireland)

TMO: J Yuille (Scotland)