France open Six Nations versus ‘transitioning’ Wales

Fabien Galthie’s in-form France begin this year’s Six Nations by holding having a hard time Wales on Friday with the head instructor completely knowledgeable about the obstacle of winning the title.

After inviting Warren Gatland’s Wales to Paris, France encounter 3 away journeys consisting of a browse through to two-time protecting champs Ireland prior to a home video game versus Scotland to complete the event on March 15.

France’s outcomes have actually greatly boosted considering that Galthie took control of in 2020, however their only prize included the Six Nations Grand Slam 3 years back, regardless of a gold generation of gamers consisting of super star scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

“It’s quite a long competition but it’s also like a sprint, which is quite astonishing, so it’s like a 400 metre race,” Galthie informed press reporters.

“For these reasons, the opening game, whoever you face, remains special, and one to be approached with caution and motivation.”

France are taken into consideration major challengers for the title after their unbeaten November collection, that included an awesome sway New Zealand, closing the hangover from the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Gatland is seeking to stay clear of a record-extending 13th straight Test loss when he takes his side to a sold-out Stade de France.

“I think there is more pressure on them because of the expectation from their fans,” Gatland claimed.

“They expect them to go out there, throw the ball around, score tries and entertain everyone.

“From my viewpoint, in some cases groups can go and overdo, especially beforehand, attempt points and make errors and this provides you chances.”

– Dupont and Ntamack back together –

Galthie has had to deal with injuries to flanker Charles Ollivon, winger Damian Penaud and centre Gael Fickou, but has been able to pick Dupont and Romain Ntamack at half-back for the first time since August 2023.

Ntamack has been out of Test contention with injuries since then but returns to partner Dupont for the 28th time at international level, a France record.

Galthie’s faith in the Toulouse pair goes against the French tradition of changing the personnel in the key decision-making position.

” I assume I belonged to the common France half-back merry-go-round, which was commonly transformed after beats and made liable for beats,” former scrum-half Galthie said.

“It was extremely hard, back then, to maintain the t-shirt.

“We’re trying to build something more solid and to show that behind the trust there’s a reality, and not just something fleeting that could disappear in one match.

“Antoine and Romain require to really feel comfortable, complimentary.”

New Zealander Gatland has made 11 changes from Wales’ last game, a heavy home defeat to South Africa in November, which capped off the team’s first year without a Test win since 1937.

Cardiff’s Ben Thomas moves from centre to fly-half, having started just seven games in his whole career in the influential position.

“He fit concerning handling that duty,” Gatland said.

“His last video game there for Cardiff went to 10. He’s comfy protecting there. He can take care of that.”

Gatland has also picked uncapped 21-year-old Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards on the bench, who only made his senior club debut in November 2023.

“There are young gamers that we understand much less, that play in a Welsh rugby system that is much less intense than the past,” Galthie said.

“On paper we feel they’re experiencing a hard shift, they get on a considerably inadequate run.”

Wales’ hopes of a first win over France since 2019 will be hindered by the presence of Olympic gold medallist Dupont.

Since his international debut in 2017 the 28-year-old has scored a try or provided an assist every 71 minutes of Test rugby.

“He’s not the most significant on the planet when you’re standing alongside him however he’s unbelievably fast, he’s effective, he’s obtained excellent vision,” Gatland said of Dupont.

“We’ve obtained a massive quantity of regard for him as a gamer and a captain.”

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