After being thrashed by England, Wales now have the daunting task of hosting France on Sunday. Here are our Wales v France predictions in the final game of the second round of the 2026 Six Nations.
Fabien Galthié’s side have a brand-new midfield combination as the Pau youngsters Fabien Brau-Boirie, who is making his debut, and Émilien Gailleton dovetail. But les Bleus will expect to keep up the momentum after brushing aside Ireland in the competition opener.
Related: How to watch the Six Nations for free wherever you are
France’s centre Emilien Gailleton (L) crosses the line to score France’s sixth try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between France and Wales at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on January 31, 2025. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Wales v France predictions
Alan Pearey, Writer/Chief Sub at Rugby World: Wales 10-52 France
After conceding 34 tries and 248 points in Steve Tandy’s first five games in charge, the last thing Wales need is France pitching up their doorstep.
Injuries have forced France into a new midfield pairing – the youthful Pau pairing of Fabien Brau-Boirie and Emilien Gailleton – but it’s difficult to see that making much difference to their freewheeling rugby.
🔥 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐮-𝐁𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞 vivra sa 𝟏𝐞̀𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞́𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 dimanche à Cardiff 🏴🇫🇷
🗣️ « 𝘊’𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦́ 𝘥𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘤 𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴 » 👏#GALFRA #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/ogIs0tkNms
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 12, 2026
Their attack stats against Ireland – 19 line breaks, 21 offloads, 41 defenders beaten – were insane in such wet weather. Their 135 post-contact metres points to a physical dominance that Wales cannot hope to match. Like England last weekend, France won’t need to be at full throttle to win this one with ease.
Joseph Robinson, Editor of Rugby World: Wales 0-80 France
The record defeat in a Six Nations fixture was set in 2001 when England beat Italy by 80 points to 23. That quarter-century record is under serious threat this weekend as a purring France travel to a hopeless Cardiff to face a maimed Wales.
Last weekend, Wales gifted England a 29-point lead at half-time and it was only England’s own carelessness that prevented a cricket score.
I have a feeling Fabien Galthié’s side will share no such sympathy, systematically bludgeoning Steve Tandy’s men up front before ripping them to shreds in the backs. The likes of Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos will relish the disjointed space offered up and provide try after try. This could be one to watch from behind the sofa…
🗣 Head coach Steve Tandy on his team selection for our @SixNationsRugby clash against France at @principalitysta this Sunday! 🏴👇
🎟 #CymruAmByth | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/A0tBqlzQrd
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 13, 2026
Josh Graham, Deputy Editor of Rugby World: Wales 5-67 France
You can only see this going one way. News that the WRU are literally giving away tickets for free to try and fill up the Principality underlines the current malaise hanging over Welsh rugby.
France showed how devastating their offload game can be against Ireland and there’s a real chance that this will get out of hand. Being at home should at least mean Wales don’t get nilled like last year.
Steve Tandy has urged supporters to turn out in force for Sunday’s clash with France 🏴
15,000 tickets were still available as of this morning 🎟️#BBCRugby #SixNations pic.twitter.com/w3fentAVEQ
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) February 13, 2026
Wales v France kick-off time and key info
Kick-off time: 3.10pm GMT – Sun15 Feb
TV channel: BBC (UK) – How to watch the Six Nations
Venue: Principality Stadium
Capacity:73,931
Wales v France head-to-head results
2025 Six Nations: France 43-0 Wales
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 31: Antoine Dupont of France side steps Dan Edwards of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Wales at Stade de France on January 31, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
2024 Six Nations: Wales 24-45 France
2023 Six Nations: France 41-28 Wales
2022 Six Nations: Wales 9-13 France
2021 Six Nations: France 32-30 Wales
Wales v France team news
Related: Steve Tandy makes four changes to his Wales side for France game
🐉 Can this Wales side contain France on Sunday? It is going to be a tough ask…#rugbyworld #rugby #sixnations pic.twitter.com/0s7tjp4ymt
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) February 13, 2026
Read more: France Six Nations squad as Galthié forced into making midfield reshuffle for trip to Wales
First we had LBB and now we have FBB on debut in Cardiff
A new-look midfield for Les Bleus #SixNationsRugby #rugbyworld #frenchrugby pic.twitter.com/ZPhszhjPF1
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) February 12, 2026
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