Wales aim to end 10 years of hurt against France

France's lock Manae Feleu fends off Wales' prop Gwenllian Pyrs

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

France have won 22 out of 25 Test matches against Wales

ByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport Wales

Published1 hour ago

It has been 10 long years since Wales tasted victory over France - and form suggests they may have to wait a little longer than Saturday to break that streak.

Wales are on a six-match losing run in the Six Nations and have only won one of 11 Tests under Sean Lynn.

But change is in the air.

New defensive and attacking systems started to take shape in the opening round defeat by Scotland, while players say their belief is back.

However, they will need more than a change in mindset to contain the free-flowing French, who arrive in Cardiff fresh from a six-try demolition of Italy.

Lynn wants his side, at the very least, to be competitive and keep the score down, while firing a few shots of their own. It may not be enough to repeat the heroics of 2016 but it will be seen as progress.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Media caption,

Jasmine Joyce is praised for her professionalism

Team news

Lynn has largely kept the same side that pushed Scotland close last weekend.

Jasmine Joyce has been recalled to the wing with Lisa Neumann ruled out of the rest of the tournament through injury.

Seren Lockwood gets her first Wales start at scrum-half in a huge show of faith.

Lynn said the 19-year-old was a game-changer against the Scots, while Keira Bevan will look to make an impact from the bench.

Lock Natalia John is the only other change. She is named among the replacements having not been involved in last year's championship.

France's new head coach Francois Ratier is also going with consistency, making just one change to the starting XV which dominated in Grenoble.

Aubane Rousset comes into the backline in place of Joanna Grisez, having impressed on debut last weekend.

She is one of three backs with just one cap to their name, while centre Gabrielle Vernier and scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus bring bags of experience.

Teani Feleu, the sister of captain Manae Feleu, is recalled to the bench.

View from the camp

"We took a real step forward as a group of players, coaches and staff against Scotland and there was real evidence of what we have started to build," said Lynn.

"We still have work to do as a squad and coaches, but this is another game to hone the style of rugby we want to play.

"France are one of the best teams in the world and we know they will pose a real challenge, but this is about us delivering a performance and taking another step forward."

It is hoped the 10,000 fans who turned out at the Principality Stadium to watch last weekend will make the short trip across to Cardiff Arms Park for game two, with Lynn and the players praising their impact.

"The noise they generated really pushed the team forward in the closing minutes of the Scotland game," Lynn said.

"The supporters need to know how important they are and how much they inspire the players."

Guinness Women's Six Nations

11 April to 17 May

Watch on iPlayer Listen on Sounds

Watch every match live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app; listen to match commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and BBC Sounds; follow live text and match highlights online

Commentator’s note

BBC Radio Wales commentator Gareth Rhys Owen: “Wales can take genuine encouragement from defeat by Scotland.

“There were signs of a side that looks better coached, more organised and increasingly comfortable within its structures.

“Where it broke down was in the moments that matter most in the modern game, turnover and transition ball.

“That is often the gold standard of possession, when defences are fractured and opportunities open up. Wales had those chances but didn't quite know how to make them count.

“That is the challenge now. Not just creating those moments, but having the confidence — and clarity — to exploit them.

“The complication is the opposition. France arrive loaded with power, pace and high-impact athletes who can punish any looseness instantly.

“Much of what Wales did well in Cardiff came from a relatively conservative approach. It kept them in the contest. But open up too much against France and the risk is obvious.

“This is the balance they must find — a tightrope between control and ambition.”

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Media caption,

Kate Williams' leadership impresses Lynn

Match stats

Head-to-head

France have won 22 of their 25 encounters with Wales, with Wales' only victories coming in 2006, 2008 and 2016
France won the last meeting in Brive 42-12
Wales have only ever beaten France at home
France are ranked fourth in the world, while Wales are 12th

First round stats

France lead the try count with six scored against Italy
France are also the top carrying team so far, with 182 carries against Italy
Wales top the stats for lineout steals, winning back five against Scotland
Wales also made the most kicks in play with 35
Wales full-back Kayleigh Powell made 161m, more than any other player, and also topped the statistics for defenders beaten (eight)
Mathilde Lazarko and Wales captain Kate Williams made the joint most successful tackles, with 19.

Line-ups

Wales: Powell; Singleton, Cox, Keight, Joyce; George, Lockwood; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Crabb, Lewis, Williams (capt), King

Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, Metcalfe, Evans, Bevan, Dallavalle.

France: Barrat; Grando, Rousset, Vernier, Murie; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Lazarko, Khalfaoui, Zago, Fall Raclot, Berthoumieu, M Feleu (capt), L Champon

Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Deshaye, Soqeta, Escudero, A Chambon, T Feleu.