These are the morning headlines for Friday March 11, the day of Wales versus France
Biggar excited by France challenge
Wales captain Dan Biggar says the players excited by the Friday night challenge against France at the Principality Stadium this evening.
Biggar admits he prefers Saturday afternoon matches, pointing out: "Even Sundays don’t quite feel the same for the Six Nations.
"I think getting to the ground for people is more of a pain on a Friday night. For me Saturday afternoon is traditional. If it was down to us and down to me I would like to see Saturday afternoon."
But he continued: "We are really excited about Friday night in Cardiff, especially for where the stadium is, right in the mix with the bars and restaurants and that atmosphere.
"Hopefully it will be a good Friday night for us rather than not. We will get on with it and hopefully do the business.”
France march on the Principality Stadium determined to take the next step towards the Grand Slam and Biggar warned of the 'huge' Shaun Edwards effect.
Victory over Wales in Cardiff - and then against England at Stade de France next week - would guarantee silverware and a first Grand Slam for 12 years.
Edwards was a key member of Warren Gatland's Wales coaching staff that masterminded four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and a World Cup semi-final appearance.
He left after the 2019 World Cup and became part of Fabien Galthie's French renaissance and his impact has not been lost on the Wales players.
"It is a very different team we are playing now to years gone past," Biggar said.
"Shaun has made a huge difference going in there and he has added some real discipline and work ethic.
"They have always been talented - we've always come up against monstrous athletes and hugely-talented players - but I think they have got that real edge to them now and they look the real deal."
But he continued: "We are quietly confident. We are quite happy for France, for (Antoine) Dupont, (Romain) Ntamack and Shaun to take the headlines and the stardust and things.
"We are hoping to go quietly under the radar and do our business."
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Pivac ready for Friday night cracker
Wayne Pivac believes that Wales will face "the in-form team in the world" this evening and reckons the game will be a classic.
France are unbeaten this season, having toppled the likes of New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, and arrive in Cardiff as red-hot favourites.
"The two sides want to play an entertaining brand of rugby and I think you have got the team at the moment who are probably the in-form team in the world in France," said Pivac.
"We certainly have had a couple of great games against them in recent times, so I think it will be a cracker.
"The form they have shown over the last 12 months, they are playing some really exciting rugby underpinned by an incredible-sized pack and ball-carriers they've got.
"They are not going to dish too much up for you to feast on, and it is about being disciplined ourselves, matching them physically and starting the game well."
Eddie throws down gauntlet to Ireland
Eddie Jones has questioned Ireland's ability to match England's physicality after claiming they have not faced a side as powerful as his Six Nations title challengers.
The rivals clash at Twickenham tomorrow with the winners going on to challenge Grand Slam-chasing France for Wales' crown in the final round.
"Ireland haven't played against a team like us before - they haven't played against South Africa since 2017," Jones said.
"We played against South Africa last year and did well in those physical stakes, so we intend to really take it to them.
"We play with a physicality they haven't seen before. We have one intention in this game and that's to go after Ireland. We are going to chase them hard down the street.
"Everywhere they go, we're going to be in their faces and we're going to take time and space away from them. Do we enjoy that challenge? Yes.
"This team don't know how good they can be and we are certainly going to find out on Saturday how good we can be."
O'Mahony admits to England 'scars'
Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony admits he has 'emotional scars' from past defeats at England's Twickenham fortress.
The Munster captain will win his 83rd cap in the green jersey at Twickenham after retaining his starting place from the round-three win over Italy.
Ireland must beat Eddie Jones' men in London to remain in contention for championship success.
O'Mahony helped the Irish complete a Grand Slam at Twickenham in 2018 but has lost on his other six trips to the stadium, including twice in 2020.
The 32-year-old believes his country have improved during the past two years but concedes he retains "emotional scars" from past failures.
"There's certainly days you don't forget about but they're certainly in the past," he said.
"You always have those emotional scars, is the only way to describe them, in your career.
"I've been there and they're certainly something I have learnt lessons from.
"You see from the stats how hard it is to pick up away wins, particularly against England. I think they are up around 86 percent of home victories, maybe more.
"It's got to be one of our best performances to win in Twickenham."
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