Overview
- Coach Fabien Galthié confirmed a largely unchanged XV with Pau duo Fabien Brau-Boirie and Émilien Gailleton starting in the centres against Wales.
- Brau-Boirie, 20, earns his first cap at inside centre after Yoram Moefana’s knee issue, with Nicolas Depoortere ruled out due to a calf problem.
- The Dupont–Jalibert halfback pairing and the starting pack that beat Ireland are retained for the trip to the Principality Stadium.
- Bench tweaks include Thibaud Flament’s return, hooker Maxime Lamothe replacing Peato Mauvaka, and a 6–2 split featuring Noah Nene as the lone outside back.
- France opened the Six Nations by defeating Ireland 36–14 to rise to fourth in the World Rugby rankings, as Italy’s win over Scotland lifted the Azzurri to ninth.