Le Bleu will be looking to play the pressure on champions-elect, Ireland, when they take on a seriously struggling Welsh outfit at the Stade de France this Saturday evening.
France v Wales
Saturday 18 March
Stade de France
14:45
France 1/16 | Draw 40/1 | Wales 13/2
Handicap
France (-19.5) 4/5 | Wales (+19.5) 87/100
The French had enjoyed a tidy if not spectacular campaign up until last weekend with wins over Scotland (32-21), Italy (24-29) sandwiched between a 32-19 loss to the Irish at the Aviva Stadium. The defeat has hampered their chances of title success but this will still be a season to remember for French fans regardless if they pull off a minor miracle and pip Ireland to the title.
The reason for French fans’ joy is last weekend’s 10- 53 walloping of the English at Twickenham. It’s no secret that the French view the English as their arch rugby rivals and their stellar performance last Saturday will go down in French rugby annals.
France’s demolition of the English will be extremely worrying for Warren Gatland’s Welsh who have really struggled this term with their solitary victory being last week’s 17-29 win over an undercooked Italy side. Wales’ other results do not make for good reading headed into this one as they have been beaten 10-34 by the Irish, 35-7 by the Scots and 10-20 by a struggling English outfit.
I would be seriously worried if I was a Welsh fan. The French are hunting for points and I reckon they’ll run rampant this Saturday evening.
Get on the hosts to clear the ‘cap.
