Warren Gatland's Wales head to Paris for their Six Nations finale against France knowing they face a daunting task.
In-form Les Bleus only last weekend demolished England 53-10 at Twickenham, underlining the huge task facing Wales as they try to end an underwhelming Six Nations campaign on a high having recorded their first win of the tournament against Italy last weekend.
Gatland has recalled three thirtysomethings with 375 caps between them - centre George North, fly-half Dan Biggar and lock Alun Wyn Jones - to face France. North replaces Mason Grady, partnering Nick Tompkins in midfield, with Joe Hawkins also dropping out, while Biggar is preferred to Owen Williams and Jones takes over from Dafydd Jenkins.
Elsewhere, Louis Rees-Zammit replaces full-back Liam Williams, who suffered a shoulder injury during the 29-17 victory over Italy, and there is also a start for flanker Aaron Wainwright, with Jac Morgan sidelined due to an ankle injury suffered in training.
Number eight Taulupe Faletau will win his 100th cap, joining fellow Welsh centurions Jones, North, Biggar, Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams.
Our experts predict what will happen in Paris on Saturday:
Ben James: Wales will try to be brave against terrifying French attack
Wales showed plenty of resolve to respond to a testing tournament to date with a streetwise win in Rome that had many of the hallmarks of a Warren Gatland performance.
It wasn't always pretty, particularly as Italy cut them to shreds at times. But Wales forced Kieran Crowley's side to play from places that any sane side shouldn't bother playing from and they reaped the rewards.
France won't be so naive. Just like the great All Blacks sides featuring Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Co, this French side kick more than anyone else. They won't be caught playing in the wrong areas, but when they get into the right ones they are lethal.
The decision to pick George North and Nick Tompkins in midfield ahead of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady has been met with criticism, given how much exposure to Test rugby the latter pair need ahead of the World Cup. But the reality is Wales' midfield was leaky last week and it would risk a similar result this time around against the terrifying French attack.
The question really is whether it's harsher on Hawkins and Grady to take them out of the team after their first win as a combination, or leave them in at the risk of being given a tough afternoon in Paris? That's what coaches are paid the big bucks for, after all.
Regardless of whether that's the right call or not, we know how Wales will look to play in Paris. They'll kick the leather off it to compete, try to play the percentages, force errors and see if they can be brave in transition should the opportunity present itself. That's the sort of gameplan which worked for Gatland four years ago, but this Wales team is in a different place. Crucially, so is this France side.
The bookies have France as roughly 20-point favourites. That's awfully high, but it's always the danger given how easily Fabien Galthie's side can cut teams apart.
France 34-20 Wales.
Who will win France v Wales? Have your say here
Mark Orders: Wales mustn’t roll over at Stade de France
The good news for Wales is that France don’t play as they did against England every time they take the field. Ireland have beaten them in this Six Nations, Italy ran them close and Scotland were competitive. But what a show it was at Twickenham.
The stars aligned and virtually everything the French tried came off. For those who witnessed the 51-0 destruction of Wales at Wembley in 1998, it would have brought back memories, not all of them fond ones from a Welsh perspective. Someone called the display in London last week “rugby from a different planet”. Indeed it was, with power, pace and skill blending gloriously. It was an exhibition in how to play modern-day rugby.
But no two rugby matches are the same and Wales will not see their role at Stade de France as making up the numbers.
They have been mediocre in this Six Nations: dismal in attack in several games, while they defended abysmally against Italy. On paper, they don’t appear to have a chance this weekend.
But their pack contains six Test Lions and there are two more at half-back and two in the three-quarters. The coaches should be able to fashion a reasonably competitive side with 10 Test Lions at their disposal.
The first job will be to disrupt French possession. Wales also have to keep mistakes to a minimum, tackle hard and play in opposition faces — make themselves hard to beat. They also need to be clinical.
Realistically, it’s hard to see it being enough. Maybe it’s hard to see it being anywhere near enough, particularly if the hosts have another good day.
But sometimes in rugby when the whole world and his wife are writing you off, that’s not a bad place to be. Of course France are molten-hot favourites. But Wales mustn’t see that as reason to live down to expectations.
France 29-12 Wales.
Steffan Thomas: Wales' backline has potential but things could get ugly
Going by the formbook this should be a total mismatch. France have won 16 out of their last 17 Test matches, which includes a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022, while Wales have emerged victorious just six times in their previous 20 internationals.
Additionally, when you throw in the off-field issues in Welsh rugby at the moment, which has served as a distraction throughout the championship, then it isn't looking too good for Warren Gatland's men.
Wales will have taken some confidence from last Saturday's 29-17 victory over Italy but they are coming up against a France side who are coming off the back of one of the greatest performances in Six Nations history after thumping England 53-10 at Twickenham.
Gatland has selected an experienced side boasting a combined 997 caps, and he will hope they can at the very least compete with the French for the first 60 minutes.
Young centres Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady have impressed in patches during the championship, but Wales' midfield leaked like a sieve in Rome. It is therefore the right call by Gatland to solidify the midfield by opting for experience in the shape of Nick Tompkins and George North, while Dan Biggar's return will give the visitors more direction.
On paper, Wales' back-division, which sees Louis Rees-Zammit start at full-back, has the potential to fire a few shots but as usual it depends how the pack holds up.
But I fear Les Bleus have far too much firepower for Wales, and sadly I can see it getting ugly. France have an enormous pack and will be confident of getting on top of Wales in the set-piece.
If they get front-foot ball then the likes of Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Gael Fickou and the world's best wing Damian Penaud could rip Wales to shreds. The visitors have to be at their very best and hope France suffers the mother of all off days to stand any chance. Unfortunately I just can't see it.
France 41-19 Wales.
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