Pivac expects a cracker as Wales host world’s most ‘in-form team’
Wayne Pivac believes that Wales will face “the in-form team in the world” when they tackle Guinness Six Nations opponents France.
While Wales’ hopes of a successful title defence were effectively ended by defeat against England last time out, France remain on course for Six Nations silverware and a first Grand Slam since 2010.
They are unbeaten this season, having toppled the likes of New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, and arrive in Cardiff as red-hot favourites.
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium could be some 10,000 short of hitting its 74,500 capacity–tonight’s8pmkickoff an inevitable hindrance to ticket sales – but a fascinating encounter looks in store.
The countries’ last five Six Nations meetings have produced an aggregate winning margin of just 14 points, and France can reflect on a solitary Cardiff triumph in the last 12 years.
“There are a few seats left. It would be great to see those seats filled up,” Wales head coach Pivac said.
“Both sides want to play an entertaining brand of rugby and I think you have got the side at the moment who are probably the in-form team in the world in France.
“We certainly have had a couple of great games against them in recent times, so I think it will be a cracker.”
Pivac has never fielded an unchanged team during his 26-Test reign, with that sequence continuing as Jonathan Davies, Gareth Thomas, Seb Davies and a fit-again Josh Navidi have all been called into the starting line-up. Navidi features in a reshaped back-row alongside Davies and Taulupe Faletau, with the breakdown set to be a crucial factor behind which team finishes on top.
Pivac’s match-day 23 features 11 players involved when Wales suffered a Grand Slam-ending 32-30 defeat in Paris last season.
The boot is on the other foot this time around, with France holding Grand Slam aspirations, but asked if stopping that clean sweep bid was a motivation, Wales captain Dan Biggar said: “We haven’t once mentioned it.
“We are really not bothered if us winning stops France winning the Grand Slam or championship. We really are just worried about making sure we finish on a high.”