- Wales are 12/1 of the outsiders to go to Paris and disturb France after a torrid slot
- They were without victories in 2024 and have lost 12 consecutively test matches
Wales chief coach Warren Gatland hopes that the 8 Taulupe Faletau will not be experienced for the second round of the six nations after he was absent from the team to face France.
Around 2024 without victories and a race of 12 consecutive losses in the test, Gatland's men open the 2025 championship against Les Bleus in Paris on Friday night.
Gatland confirmed the return of the Lions to Liam Williams and Josh Adams by his side on Wednesday, but NO 8 Faletau was not appointed due to a knee injury.
“It is simply not ready,” Gatland said about the striker, who has not been oblivious to physical conditioning problems since the 2023 World Cup and has not played international rugby since that tournament. 'He made the call on Tuesday to tell him that he must put the team first. It is not 100 percent. It is still part of the team and will still come with us (to France).
“We hope it will be suitable for Italy.”
With luck, Taulupe Faletau will participate in the second game of the six nations of Wales against Italy
Warren Gatland is looking to reverse a race of 12 consecutive test losses with dragons
With 104 Wales Caps in his name, Faletau, 34, is the most experienced member of the 35 -men's team for the championship.
Although almost 18 months have passed since the last time an international played, and its participation in the rugby with the side of the Cardiff Club at that time has also been minimal, Faletau is still one of the names on the Welsh team sheet if It is fit. The problem is that it has not been.
Aaron Wainwright was confirmed on Wednesday when the man would replace Faletau against France in an XV that will see the first beginnings of Wales for the rookie Evan Lloyd and the former owner of England Henry Thomas. Ben Thomas has been chosen in the crucial position of half of the fly.
Wales are 12/1 strangers to beat France in his homeland. The success of these six nations for Gatland's men will be based on their clash of the second round with Italy in Rome, so Wales will be desperate because Faletau plays in the Olympic Stadio a week on Saturday.
Gatland believes that the preparation of Wales for France has been successful and has told his team to enjoy his helpless position.
'We have not talked about negativity. What I do is try to create a bit of siege mentality where you built it in your own environment, “said the Neozyle.
'You try not to take too much note of the things that are happening outside of that. The players have been good. The preparation has been outstanding.
'We are very aware of the task. We want to go out and play a good rugby. We want to leave and do some things that France potentially do not expect us to do. 'We have talked about being really positive in terms of the way we play and see that there are also opportunities to attack them.
He confirmed that Liam Williams and Josh Adams have returned aside before Friday
Wales is 12/1 to go to France and win, given its abysmal form, but Gatland hopes to use the 'siege mentality' for its advantage
'We know how good they are like a team, but if we are precise and we are disciplined, then we have a good opportunity to be in that game. I am excited.
'We have talked about the fact that there is probably more pressure and expectation in them. There are expectations of their fans.
'They expect your team to throw the ball and write down attempts.
“From my experience, teams can try too early and throw the ball and that gives you opportunities.”
France has no key backup backups Fickou and Damian Penaud and fronts Tibaud Flament and Charles Ollivon for Wales, but their in -depth strength is enviable. His team is led by half of Scrum Mercurial Antoine Dupont, who is back with no 10 Romain Ntamack.