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| Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sunday, 10 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online from 14:20 GMT; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. |
Former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards is targeting another Six Nations victory for France in Cardiff.
Edwards joined the French coaching staff after the 2019 World Cup with Les Bleus having not lost to Wales in the last five attempts.
That includes two wins in Cardiff for Fabien Galthie’s side in 2020 and 2022.
“We know they are going to test us for the full 80 minutes, they’ll want a high-tempo game and will test our fitness,” said Edwards.
France suffered a Six Nations-opening humbling to Ireland in Marseille, they narrowly beat Scotland and only drew with Italy after Azzurri fly-half Paolo Garbisi hit the post with a last-gasp penalty kick.
Les Blues have been without captain Antoine Dupont due to his sevens commitments before this summer’s Olympics in Paris and the likes of first-choicers Romain Ntamack, Anthony Jelonch and Thibaud Flament have been sidelined with injuries.
“The first game was the first time in the four years I have been here that I thought we didn’t perform anywhere near our best,” said Edwards.
“We have had losses before but they have been by smaller margins. To win against Scotland away from home was pleasing, it’s a difficult place to go and win.
“It was disappointing not to win against Italy, but from a defensive point of view, we have only conceded two tries in the last two matches and conceded 16 and 13 points respectively.
“Hopefully we can continue to improve because the first game was not a good example of the French defence.”
Wales are the only side not to have a Six Nations win this year with three defeats. Warren Gatland’s side go into the France fixture rooted to the bottom of the table, just a few months after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals last year.
“I felt their performance against Australia at the World Cup was fantastic and one of the performances of the tournament,” said Edwards.
“I was surprised what happened against Argentina in the quarter-finals but they are a top-ranked team.
“I think Gats (Warren Gatland) is trying to create a new team, which he’s brilliant at and has done a couple of times already.
“So with regards to this Six Nations, they (Wales) have been competitive in every game. I thought they played very well against Ireland who are on great form at the moment.”
This weekend has an extra spice to it for Edwards as he spent 11 years in charge of Wales’ defence under Gatland’s command.
“It is very nice to return and see old faces that I have not seen for a year or two,” said Edwards.
“I won four Six Nations titles (with Wales) and this is one of the best stadiums in the world.”
One of those old faces is Rob Howley, who has returned to the Wales coaching staff after serving a ban for betting offences.
“He was a world-class player who I was lucky enough to coach,” said Edwards.
“He was the one best players I ever coached. He is also a world-class coach and the game of rugby is better for him to be back involved at this level.”
