Winless Wales know they will have to be at their best

FRANCE enter their final Six Nations fixture in a must-win situation if they are to have any chance of lifting the title.

Les Bleuets sit three points adrift of Championship leaders Ireland heading into Super Sunday, meaning that they need to win and hope Ireland slip up against England.

The chance to claim their first Six Nations title since 2018 comes after their extraordinary 42-7 thumping of England last week.

It was a five-try haul for the French in the stunning win as they held England to a mere seven points after Alan Dickens’ side had scored no fewer than 30 points in each of their three opening wins.

Head coach Sebastien Calvet has rung the changes for France in this crucial clash, making five in total to the starting lineup.

Electric outside back Louis Bielle-Biarrey shifts from wing to fullback, allowing Paul Costes to come into the side at outside centre with Nicolas Depoorte taking up the vacant blindside wing spot.

Fly-half Hugo Reus drops out of the squad entirely, making way for Alex Desperes to pull the strings this week.

In the pack, tighthead prop Zaccharie Affane has two new front row partners this week in hooker Thomas Lacombe and loosehead Luca Tabarot.

The final change sees Mathis Castro-Ferreira promoted off the bench to start on the openside flank.

Wales sit at the opposite end of the spectrum to France and remain the only

team yet to record a win in the tournament.

With nothing tangible on the line, their sole task will be to play the role of party spoiler.

Welsh head coach Byron Hayward understands that his side come in as massive underdogs.

“We expect France to be very similar opposition to Italy on Sunday,” he said.

“They are big and physical up front and possess pace in the backs so we will have to be on our toes to keep them at bay.”

Hayward has mirrored France with five changes of his own.

Tom Florence and Harri Williams make their first starts of the campaign at outside centre and scrum-half respectively whilst Oli Andrew returns on the wing.

Up front there are two changes in the front row with Lewis Morgan stepping in at hooker and Louis Fletcher packing down beside him at tighthead, both also making their first starts of 2023.

“We have taken the opportunity to make a few changes by rotating players in positions where we are particularly strong,” Hayward added.