Wales host France in the 2026 Six Nations this weekend to close round two.
These two sides arrive in Cardiff in drastically different form, with Les Bleus comfortably downing injury-hit Ireland in last week’s home tournament opener to begin their latest title defence in style.
Wales, meanwhile, left Twickenham after suffering another heavy defeat at the hands of England played out against the backdrop of never-ending crisis in the Welsh domestic game.
That marked a 12th straight Six Nations loss, with Sunday representing the 1,072nd day since Wales’ last home win in the competition.
It is the sort of poor form that means a visit by high-flying France - the favourites to defend their crown and win a Grand Slam - is far from the ideal fixture for Steve Tandy in only his second Six Nations match as head coach.
Fabien Galthie’s men humbled Wales 43-0 in Paris on opening night last year, so Tandy and Co will hope that home field advantage can help them at least narrow the margin of a likely defeat.
Wales vs France date, kick-off time and venue
Wales vs France takes place on Sunday February 15, 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3:10pm GMT, which is 4:10pm in France.
How to watch Wales vs France
TV channel: In the UK, Wales vs France is being shown live and free to air on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 2:30pm GMT.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the BBC Sport website and app, and the BBC iPlayer.
Wales vs France team news
France have made two changes to the side that brushed aside Ireland, with centres Nicolas Depoortere (calf) and Yoram Moefana (knee) both now sidelined.
With no Kalvin Gourgues (ankle) either and the likes of Gael Fickou omitted from the Six Nations squad entirely, Pau’s Fabien Brau-Boirie, 20, makes his Test debut at 12 alongside 11-cap club team-mate Emilien Gailleton.
Les Bleus’ starting XV is otherwise unchanged, with Thomas Ramos, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe in a potent back three, while Matthieu Jalibert and star captain Antoine Dupont are the half-backs.
Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dorian Aldegheri pack down at prop either side of hooker Julien Marchand, while Charles Ollivon again partners Mickael Guillard at lock.
In the back row, Francois Cros and Oscar Jegou are the flankers, with Anthony Jelonch at number eight.
There are three changes on the France bench, with Maxime Lamothe, Thibaud Flament and uncapped centre Noah Nene replacing Peato Mauvaka, Hugo Auradou and Gourgues.
Wales assistant Matt Sherratt said on Wednesday that the hosts have no injuries to report from last weekend’s loss to England, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes to the XV following another damaging defeat. Tandy is due to name his team on Friday morning.
Wales vs France lineups
Wales XV: TBC
Replacements: TBC
France XV: Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (c); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri; Ollivon, Guillard; Cros, Jegou, Jelonch
Replacements: Lamothe, Neti, Montagne, Flament, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Nene
Wales vs France head to head (h2h) history and results
There have been 105 previous instalments of this match-up and the head-to-head record currently stands at a perfectly even 51 wins each, plus three draws.
The Welsh dominated the early days of this contest, but France slowly began to claw their way back in the Five Nations Championship during the second half of the last century.
Since the Six Nations began, meanwhile, Les Bleus have the advantage both in terms of wins against Wales and overall titles, leading the latter stat by seven to six following their victory last year.
France have also won the last seven straight Test matches between these two countries since Wales narrowly triumphed in the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals, including a 43-0 thrashing to begin the 2025 Six Nations.
Wales wins: 51
France wins: 51
Draws: 3
Wales vs France prediction
Up against the defending Six Nations champions, it’s hard to see anything coming from this Cardiff meeting but another heavy defeat for Wales.
If that must be the case, Tandy will hope the margin is not as severe as it was against England last weekend or indeed against this opponent last year.
However, his team will have to put some points of their own on the board as France - having made relatively light work of Ireland - will undoubtedly rack up their fair share of tries as they seek another bonus-point win.
France to win, by 40 points.
Wales vs France match odds
Wales to win: 35/1
France to win: 1/100
Draw: 50/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
