Image source, Getty Images

Leigh Halfpenny blocks out the boos from the stands and strokes over from a good 35m out.

A decent confidence-builder that and first blood on the scoreboard.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

Image source, Reuters

"I don't know what it is with the French, but they're very passive. It's allowing Wales to get over the gain line very easily."

Wales playing it tight and tidy, rumbling round the fringes for 11 successive fringes and making it over the gain line on each.

France get impatient and stray the wrong side at the breakdown. This is kickable for Leigh Halfpenny. Most of them are for him.

If Shaun Edwards didn't like England's decoy runners, he is going to hate that from Wesley Fofana. The France centre blocks off Jamie Roberts with a very obvious obstruction.

The referee has spotted it. There would be some questions if he hadn't. Penalty to Wales and Dan Biggar clears upfield.

Former Wales scrum-half Robert Jones
BBC Radio 5 live

"The aerial battle is somewhere that Wales have dominated in this championship so far, but I think this evening France will also be looking to compete in that department.

"The scrum will also be a key area today - for Wales, their set-pieces haven't been great in their first two games."

First scrum of the match up on halfway and is that a hint of Walsh superiority?

Rhys Webb gets the ball away and Liam Williams hangs on despite a dumper-truck of a tackle from Yoann Huget.

But France force the turnover as the Wales forwards fail to get there in enough numbers.

Camille Lopez takes us up to the Wales 22m line.

Image source, EPA

Rob James: Decent atmosphere in Paris. Time to ditch the tenors - acoustic anthems the way forward.

Charles Worthington: Goosebumps, listening to the French national anthem.

Conor Fletcher: What a beautiful sound. Unbelievable anthems.

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Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

"It's going to be an intense, physical battle. The gain line is going to be key for both sides."

Dan Biggar to get us going and the Wales fly-half boots high and hanging over the France 10-metre line. The hosts forwards gobble it up under pressure from the chasing red shirts.

Leigh Halfpenny, who plays his club rugby on this side of the Channel, is moved to the point of tears by the Welsh anthem.

France respond with a rendition of La Marsaillaise led by a group of military men wearing some jaunty tricorn hats.

Thierry Dusautoir finally leads his boys out to line up alongside Wales backstage.

He and Sam Warburton then trudge out into a maelstrom of noise with red, white and blue fluttering in all corners.

Dafydd Pritchard, BBC Wales Sport at Stade de France: "The tricolore flags are out in force at a vibrant, vociferous Stade de France with kick-off less than 10 minutes away.

"Wales assistant coach Rob Howley spoke earlier this week about the importance of silencing the Parisian crowd.

"If this rowdy pre-match atmosphere is anything to go by, that will be quite some task for Wales."

Image source, PA

As France keep Wales waiting in the tunnel, time for a run-down of the full cast list.

France: B Dulin, Y Huget, R Lamerat, W Fofana, S Guitoune, C Lopez, M Parra; E Ben Arous, G Guirado, R Slimani, R Taofifenua, Y Maestri, T Dusautoir, B Le Roux, D Chouly

Replacements: B Kayser, U Atonio, V Debaty, J Suta, L Goujon, S Tillous-Borde, R Tales, M Bastareaud

Wales: L Halfpenny, G North, J Davies, J Roberts, L Williams, D Biggar, R Webb; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee, L Charteris, A Wyn Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton (captain), T Faletau

Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, A Jarvis, B Davies, J Tipuric, M Phillips, R Priestland, S Williams

Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC One

"Jamie Roberts is integral to this Wales team. He leads the defensive line, similar to Mathieu Bastareaud for France, he is such an intense presence.

Drew Mitchell
Toulon and Australia wing on BBC One

"George North's talents are immense. The most imposing thing is his presence on the wing. His finishing for such a big guy is right up there with the best in world rugby. I'd love to see him come off the wing a bit more."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland speaking to BBC Sport: "This match is important for both teams to stay in this competition. We have prided ourselves in the past in being a team that improves over campaigns and we have been training well.

"Liam Williams has been setting things alight and it is a chance for George North to come back in. It is always good to keep the players on their toes and remind them that they have to earn it every week."

Wales began their Six Nations campaign with a deflating home defeat to England and their narrow win over Scotland last time out looks less impressive in the light of Italy's win today.

France have been as one-dimensional as a charcter from a Liam Neeson movie.

All physicality, not a sniff of their trademark guile and invention. A tryless win over Scotland in their opener was followed by bruising defeat to Ireland.

Time to switch our sights south to Paris.

Neither France or Wales are in full-blown crisis mode, but defeat for either today will turn up the volume on the grumbles and groans.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Leatherdale: Really enjoyed that match. Good, attritional rugby.

Adam Martin: Terrible game! The referee didnt help, but the game lacked excitement and no real rugby was played. Backs are great but forwards? Not so much!

Dan Jenkins: Scotland have been building so well over last few months under Vern Cotter. I hope they don't crumble after that defeat...

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