Wales will face France tonight in the opening match of the 2025 Six Nations Championship. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 PM GMT at the Stade de France in Paris. Fans in the UK can watch the live broadcast on ITV.
Key Players to Watch:
- Wales: The return of experienced backs Liam Williams and Josh Adams is a significant boost for Wales. Their presence adds depth to the backline, which will be crucial in both attack and defence. However, the absence of key players like Taulupe Faletau due to injury poses a challenge for the team’s forward pack.
- France: France welcomes back star players Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, strengthening their lineup. Dupont’s leadership and playmaking abilities, combined with Ntamack’s tactical prowess, make them formidable opponents.
Betting Odds:
Match winner
France are strong favourites at 1/25 with the draw at 66/1 and Wales a massive 25/1 – underlining the size of the task on Friday night for the Welsh team.
DragonBet are also doing a host of Player Specials including :
Most Welsh metres made
- Liam Williams 5/6
- Josh Adams 5/1
- Tom Rogers 6/1
- Nick Tompkins 10/1
- Owen Watkins 10/1
- Jac Morgan 11/1
Most Welsh successful tackles made
Match Outlook:
Wales enters this match aiming to break a challenging streak, having lost 12 consecutive games. Head coach Warren Gatland is fostering a “siege mentality” within the squad, hoping to defy expectations. The return of seasoned players like Liam Williams and Josh Adams offers some optimism, but the team remains underpowered and inexperienced compared to their French counterparts.
France, on the other hand, is dealing with internal challenges, including financial issues within the French Rugby Federation and controversies involving certain players. Despite these distractions, the team remains focused on starting their Six Nations campaign strongly, especially with the return of key players like Dupont and Ntamack.
Historically, France has had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning the last five consecutive Tests against Wales. The last time Wales secured a home Six Nations victory against France was in 2018.
Given the current form and home advantage, France is favoured to win this encounter. However, with the unpredictable nature of the Six Nations and Wales’ determination to overturn their fortunes, an upset cannot be entirely ruled out
