Wales vs France live: Latest score and updates as struggling hosts face daunting test against Six Nations favourites

Ellis Mee regains possession in the air against Bielle-Biarrey who had claimed one earlier leading up to the try.

Wales work through a few phases but can’t break past halfway, so Dan Edwards opts for a kick. They manage to hold their first period of possession just inside the French half, but France’s dominance at the breakdown keeps pushing them back.

Edwards launches a kick, but France are quick to neutralise it.

Wales start from deep, but France quickly relieve the pressure with Dupont.

Attissogbe charges down the right, Ollivon links up and Emilien Gailleton is there to finish the move.

Thomas Ramos converts the extras – a horror start for Wales just 88 seconds in.

We’re underway in Cardiff as fly-half Dan Edwards gets us under way.

Can France stay on course for consecutive Six Nations triumphs, or will Wales pull off a stunning upset?

“We have to play to our standards and potential, we have to judge ourselves harshly in everything we’ve done. We know we played well vs Ireland but we want to improve.

“I’m sure better times are coming for Wales, let’s hope it happens tomorrow, not today.”

On debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie:

“He’s some player, very big, very strong but can also avoid contact very well. The two centres have played together at Pau, so hopefully they can play well today.”

Referee: James Doleman (NZ)

Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (Eng) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)

Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (NZ)

Foul Play Review Officer: Mike Adamson (Sco)

It was striking again against England how lacking Wales were in terms of collision winners on both sides of the ball. This feels a punchier pack with Rhys Carre and Olly Cracknell adding plenty of carry threat, although they will still be significantly out-sized. I’d like to see more of Eddie James with ball in hand, too – the centre was not really given much to work with at Twickenham, although an alliance with club colleague Joe Hawkins may be helpful in that regard.

Fabien Brau-Boirie is the latest top talent off the French production line, with the Pau centre drawing comparisons to Yannick Jauzion. Only just 20, he’ll strike up his club partnership with Emilien Gailleton – a comparable veteran at 22 – in Cardiff today.

“Brau-Boirie has been with us for over a year. He performed well with the under-20s, trained with the French national team last year, and was also supposed to travel with us to New Zealand (last July) but injured his ankle,” France coach Fabien Galthie said of the youngster. “He’s a very young player but he’s a regular for his club every weekend and has earned a place.”

As well as team selection, there has been as much scrutiny on Steve Tandy’s dual role as defence coach and head coach.

Wales have shipped 34 tries and conceded 248 points in Tandy’s five games and it has been suggested the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions defence coach is spreading himself too thinly.

Tandy said of his dual role: “It is a lot. When I got here it was making sure I had the right people in the room, and Matt (Sherratt, attack coach) and Danny (Wilson, assistant coach) came in.

“I am really passionate about defence and I’ve really enjoyed it – and doing it with the head coaching role.

“But then it is about making sure you don’t spread yourself too thinly. We are constantly assessing and reviewing it as it is a big demand.

“Hopefully it is something we are going to get in place for the (summer’s) Nations Cup.”

France are forced into a midfield rethink with all of Yoram Moefana, Nicolas Depoortere and Kalvin Gourgues ruled out of the trip to Cardiff. It is a Pau partnership paired in the centres, then, with debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie considered a top talent and alongside familiar company in Emilien Gailleton.

The rest of the starting side is unchanged, with Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard continuing in the second row despite the return of Thibaud Flament. The Toulouse lock has to be content with a place on the bench, from where he and Emmanuel Meafou, regular partner for club and country, could do plenty of damage. Noah Nene is another potential first-capper in jersey No 23.

France XV: 1 Jean Baptiste-Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickael Guillard; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Theo Attissogbe; 15 Thomas Ramos.

Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Thibaud Flament, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Noah Nene.

Steve Tandy makes a handful of changes to the Welsh side thrashed by England in round one. No 8 Olly Cracknell is primed for a Six Nations debut in a reshuffled back row that also includes Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann, while a swap of props sees Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis promoted from the bench.

Joe Hawkins is preferred to Ben Thomas at 12, and will partner clubmate Eddie James. It is a five forwards to three backs bench split named by Tandy.

Wales XV: 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Tomas Francis; 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Alex Mann, 8 Olly Cracknell; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Joe Hawkins, 13 Eddie James, 14 Ellis Mee; 15 Louis Rees-Zammit.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree; 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Mason Grady.