Wales welcome France to Principality Stadium on Sunday as they look to secure a first win of the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Warren Gatland’s side were beaten in Dublin last time out, while France were held to a draw at home to Italy, leaving both teams desperate for a response.
Les Bleus have struggled to find their best form since losing at home to Ireland in the opening round, but coach Fabien Galthié is optimistic that they can turn things around in the final two rounds.
That was certainly the case a year ago when after an up-and-down campaign, they travelled to Twickenham and secured a record victory over England.
Wales, however, produced their best half of rugby in this campaign in their only previous home game, almost pulling off a remarkable comeback win over Scotland as they went down 27-26 after trailing 27-0.
France are unbeaten in fixtures between the sides since 2019 but have had to battle on their two previous wins in Cardiff.
Both Gatland and Galthié have rung the changes, leaving plenty of uncertainty about what to expect in the Welsh capital.
Warren Gatland has made four changes to the Welsh side that travelled to Dublin, including an all-new midfield pairing.
Owen Watkin and one-cap man Joe Roberts are preferred to experienced pair Nick Tompkins and George North as Gatland tries to find a spark in attack.
There are two changes in the pack as Ryan Elias comes in for Elliot Dee at hooker, while Dafydd Jenkins shifts to blindside flanker to make space for Will Rowlands to come into the side at lock.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said: “It’ll be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday particularly up front. We know they will start hard and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We’re looking for an 80-minute performance.
“We’re excited to be back at home for our last two matches and looking forward to getting out in front of a passionate Welsh crowd this weekend.”
France, meanwhile, have made eight changes, the most in a Championship clash in the Galthié era.
There are three debutants in the starting line-up, with Emmanuel Meafou getting a first cap at lock, while Nicolas Depoortère gets a chance at inside centre and Léo Barré starts at full-back.
That sees Thomas Ramos move to fly-half for the first time as a Test starter, linking with Nolann Le Garrec who makes a first Test start. Elsewhere, Grégory Alldritt returns to captain the side, while Thibaud Flament is back for his first appearance of the Championship. Julien Marchand is promoted to start at hooker and Louis Bielle-Biarrey returns on the wing.
There is one more new face on the bench with La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe in line for his debut.
France coach Fabien Galthié said: “We want a consistency of selection but this is probably the Championship where have given out the most debuts. That can be explained by some of the red cards and injuries that have opened up spots. But also, the performance of other players. I have always said that players need to come and grab the jersey. That is what has happened this week, but also over the last five years.”
Teams:
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Alex Mann, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
France: 15 Léo Barré, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Nicolas Depoortère, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 François Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Grégory Alldritt. Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Sébastien Taofifénua, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifénua, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana.