PIVAC KNOWS SEALING THE SLAM WON’T BE PLAIN SAILING

WAYNE PIVAC is out to foil the French and complete a fine family double — after his son was part of the New Zealand sailing team who won the America’s Cup this week. While Pivac Snr may have a little more influence on Wales’s quest for the Six Nations title in Paris tomorrow night than Bradley did with the Auld Mug, as part of the on-shore events team, a Grand Slam would keep the champagne flowing. Speaking of his sons back in New Zealand, Wales boss Pivac (right) said: ‘They’re both very supportive. They’ll both be watching, both wearing Welsh jerseys.’ Having moved to Wales in 2014 and married Mikaela, bringing two step-daughters into his family, Pivac is desperate to deliver for his adopted nation. ‘It would mean everything, really,’ he said. ‘Coming up to seven years, you understand what it means to the country and what it can do to productivity. I noticed walking round the golf course here at our hotel yesterday, the number of people saying good luck for the weekend, they are very supportive. ‘We will certainly give it our best shot to try to get the ultimate prize.’ Pivac has made one change to his starting XV for the Grand Slam game against France, with lock Adam Beard in for Cory Hill to provide beef and set-piece nous. Tomos

Williams, who has recovered from hamstring trouble, makes the bench. Fourteen of Wales’s starting XV — which boasts a record 987 caps — have won at least one Grand Slam before. ‘There is a lot of experience to call on, which is a good place to be,’ added Pivac, who was not ready to scoff at his early critics having turned Wales’ fortunes around in 2021. ‘Criticism goes with the territory,’ he said. ‘The same thing happened with the Scarlets. It took me a while to get that machine rolling and ultimately we had some success. ‘We are in a good space but we are not the finished article. France have done a fantastic job since the World Cup. It makes for a mouthwatering final match.’ France are unchanged from their England defeat last week. FRANCE: Dulin; Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Penaud; Jalibert, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Taofifenua, Willemse, Cretin, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt. WALES: Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, J Davies, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, Francis, Beard, AW Jones (capt), Navidi, Tipuric, Faletau. TV: LIVE on BBC1, tomorrow 8pm.