France head coach Fabien Galthie has named his matchday 23 to tackle Wales in the opening 2025 Six Nations match on Friday. Les Bleus collide with Warren Gatland’s outfit at the Stade de France with Antoine Dupont skippering the side from scrum-half after missing last year’s edition of the tournament.

France faced setbacks with winger Damian Penaud's injury ahead of their Six Nations match against Wales. Key players like Gael Fickou and Charles Ollivon are also unavailable. Coach Fabien Galthie made five team changes,

France head coach Fabien Galthie has defended the selections of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou on the bench for Friday’s Six Nations opener against Wales, stating that every player in the side “deserves to play”.

France have lost flying winger Damian Penaud to injury for their Six Nations clash against Wales, adding to a list of key players unavailable for the tournament opener at the Stade de France on Friday.

The Pau back is starting on the wing in place of Damian Penaud in France's opening 2025 Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales on Friday night

Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, who were investigated over rape claims last year before they were dismissed, will start on the bench for France's Six Nations opener against Wales, coach Fabien

Romain Ntamack returns to the French rugby squad after 18 months, despite Damian Penaud's injury ahead of the Six Nations opener. Coach Fabien Galthie makes significant team changes, while the controversial inclusion of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou overshadows other announcements.

Antoine Dupont will return to captain France in their Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday. Dupont, 28, missed the 2024 championships in order to focus on rugby sevens ahead of his home Olympics in Paris. Such was his impact, he helped France win the gold medal and was named World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year.

Last up in our set of previews ahead of the 2025 Six Nations we examine the prospects of last year's runners-up, Fabien Galthie's France.

Six Nations Tournament 2025: France - Wales, opening match at the Stade de France In the opening match of the Six Nations Tournament, the French national team hosts Wales at the Stade de France on Friday, January 31, 2025. What better way to get the tournament off to a flying start! [Read more]

Flyhalf Romain Ntamack is back in the France team for the first time in almost 18 months but winger Damian Penaud is injured for the Six Nations opener against Wales, adding to a list of key players unavailable for Friday's clash at the Stade de France.

Rugby’s greatest championship is set to get underway as Warren Gatland and Fabien Galthie prepare to name their teams for the opener in Paris