Wales vs. France Predictions: Les Bleus to win their penultimate game on the way to a Grand Slam

We reach the penultimate week of the Six Nations Championship, and we’re being treated to some absolute corkers this weekend.

France come into the game on Friday in blistering form. As the only side left who can win the Grand Slam, they’ll be looking to go one step closer to their first GS since 2010, and become the third team in the history of the competition to achieve this 10 times. They’re boosted by the inclusion of World Player of the Year, and their captain, Antoine Dupont, after an injury scare in training. Gabin Villiere comes back into the team to replace Damien Penaud, who’s tested positive for Covid-19.

Wales have made four changes to their starting 15 for Friday’s game, with Seb Davies and Josh Navidi coming into the back row. Wales have had a shaky Six Nations, with a win over Scotland coming in between losses to Ireland and England. They’ve missed a lot of key players through injuries, but that famous Cardiff crowd could still have it’s part to play in ending France’s Grand Slam hopes. As ever we’ve looked ahead to the game, and picked out two tips.

Despite missing their previous fixture, Gabin Villiere comes into this game as the tournament’s joint top-scorer. He comes into the win to replace the previously mentioned Penaud, who’s the other top scorer with three so far. Wales are conceding an average of 23 points per game so far, with France scoring an average of just over 34 PG. I think the French will continue their onslaught at the tournament, and I’m expecting Villiere to get at least one try.

The news of Dupont’s inclusion will be one that brings joy to Les Bleus. He’ll have the Wales players and fans alike quaking in their boots. Only Romain Ntamack has assisted more tries than the scrum half in the competition, and I expect him to put at least one more on the board. The man who is leading France to what I believe will be the Grand Slam, and his Man of the Match performance here will go a long way to reaching that.