They have lost 10 of their last 11 fixtures in the championship and have not beaten today's opponents at the Principality Stadium, France, since 2019, the last year of Gatland's first stint as head coach. Back in 2007, before failure in the World Cup prompted the call for Gatland, they had won two in 10, with neither victory coming against Italy A fifth successive defeat to France would leave Wales needing to beat Italy in Cardiff on Saturday to avoid a first whitewash in 21 years.
Gatland has made five changes from the side that lost to Ireland in Dublin in a selection that looks designed for a France team that since being eliminated early from the World Cup they hosted last year have gone for raw-boned power and ditched finesse.
It got them nowhere against Ireland in Marseille, earned them a late and fortunate victory in Scotland and restricted them to a draw against Italy in Lille when the ball falling off the tee as Paolo Garbisi was lining up a penalty to win the match in the final minute denied the Azzurri an historic victory.
Ryan Elias, right, replaces Elliot Dee at hooker and if it sacrifices lineout accuracy for muscle and bustle, Gatland has gone for three-second rows. Will Rowlands starts in the boilerhouse with Adam Beard and skipper Dafydd Jenkins moves to blindside flanker in place of the benched Alex Mann.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stade are heading in right direction
IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Borthwick needs to sort out defence
WELL surprise, surprise England at last managed to win at home in front of a nearly full Allianz stadium even if it was against a team that they had thrashed just a few months earlier.
Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge
HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that next year’s Rugby World Cup is to be no formality.
All my energy is going into Beziers
IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.
