Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC One

Ken Owens has come into Lions contention from the blindside. He has hit his man in the line-out - I think his accuracy is around 98% - his scrummage has been sound and he has been dynamic in the loose. 

All the talk was about England's Dylan Hartley and Ireland's Rory Best before the tournament, but Owens has forced his way into the conversation.

France have made just one change from their win over Italy, with Clermont lock Sebastien Vahaamahina replacing Brive's Julien le Devedec.

Wales, predictably, have named the same side that beat Ireland last weekend.

Head coach Rob Howley has resisted calls to bring in Ospreys fly-half Sam Davies and young prop Nicky Smith who once again start on the bench.

Defence coach Shaun Edwards said the "time for new blood" would be the summer tour to Tonga and Samoa.

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at Stade de France

It may be springtime in Paris but there's a damp, grey shroud over the city as France and Wales prepare to scrap it out for the leftovers after England's title-clinching demolition of Scotland.

Second place and World Rugby ranking positions are at stake for both sides.

There is no such thing as jeopardy-free rugby international.

The players enter the arena and Ken Owens leads the team out to win his 50th cap.

Anthems next...

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer in Dublin

"Showers and wind in the Irish air, typical March conditions which should lead to a typically Irish approach, leaning on tactical kicking and a hailstorm of high kicks. 

"There are two problems with that: firstly, the injury that has ruled out box-kicker supreme Conor Murray, and then England's line-out supremacy this season. 

"Nine of their 16 tries have come from attacking line-outs - expect Ireland to thus keep the ball in play more than they traditionally do, not because the English back three of Brown, Watson and Daly aren't strong under the high ball, but because it's easier to defend a counter-attack from deep than first-phase line-out ball."

Wales hooker Ken Owens is a rather popular figure in Welsh rugby.

He can throw straight, he's nifty round the field AND he's the Wales choirmaster. 

At their 2015 official World Cup reception, his led his side in a rousing rendition of “Lawr Ar Lan y Môr”, and he'll be singing again this afternoon.

The "Sheriff" will win his 50th cap when he runs out onto the turf in Paris and as is Welsh tradition, he's required to mark the occasion with a song.

31 of his previous 49 caps have been won off the bench - but in this year's Six Nations, the Welsh 'super-sub' has started each and every game.

Has he done enough to earn a spot on this summer's Lions tour?

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at Stade de France

Image source, Getty Images

Wales are on a mission in France according to legendary goal-kicker Neil Jenkins – a salvage mission.

The kicking coach who scored more than 1,000 points in international rugby believes the side have to “salvage three wins from five games” by beating France for a sixth consecutive match.

Reception to the team’s performances has been as cool as the Paris drizzle and even the stirring 22-9 defeat of Ireland has failed to silence calls for change.

Coach Rob Howley turned a deaf ear to naysayers and if his unchanged team can deliver on a perfect Stade de France pitch, then the new blood will arrive for the games against Tonga and Samoa in the summer when he will be in New Zealand with the Lions.

This Paris match might also decide how many of his players are on the tour with him.

Image source, Getty Images

And Wales? 

Pride, Lions places, a world-cup draw and the respect of their fans to play for.

The Welsh nation have endured a roller-coaster campaign. 

Their fans have become increasingly frustrated with the team's lack of creativity and Rob Howley's reluctance to try new talent.

And despite a good victory against Ireland last week, there are still rumblings of discontent.

BUT, if Wales beat France and score four tries, they'll give themselves the chance of climbing the world rankings.

And then they'll need to do something which doesn't come naturally...and support the English.

If England beat Ireland, Wales can move up to fourth ahead of the World Cup 2019 draw in May.

All to play for then.

Image source, Getty Images

This game is not the undercard and certainly not a dead-rubber, especially for these two nations.

France have pride to play for. 

They've lost their last five encounters with Wales, a run stretching back to 2011.

Their last victory? A world-cup semi final. The Welsh won't want to remember that.

Touching scenes at Murrayfield as captain John Barclay pays fulsome tribute to his departing coach Vern Cotter and then the man himself is called forward for a few words to the crowd.

"I would like to thank the players and everyone for the last three years it has been fun," he says.

And that is all he manages. Normally as stony-faced as Mount Rushmore, the New Zealander is dissolving into tears.

He disappears into embraces with his players and backroom staff.

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at Stade de France

But some important news to bring you first.

Fans are facing tighter-than usual security at Stade de France after the shooting at Orly airport  in Paris this morning.

Police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised Wales fans in Paris to exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorites and travel operators.

'The security plan has been stepped up at the Stadium. Plan to arrive in good time for increased security checks at the gates.'

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of today's second Six Nations clash.

Wales have won the first battle of the day - the coin toss! And they've chosen to kick-off.

15 minutes until we're under way.

Finn Russell says Scotland were chasing the bonus point in a bid to move up the Six Nations table.

"Great performance from the boys," Russell told BBC One . "We knew we had to try and get a bonus point, so it was great to get a fourth try and to keep them to nil helps if it comes down to that.

"Tim Visser stole that one from me, he owes me a drink tonight.

"We were very disappointed after last week. It was great to come back and get a bonus point here." 

Iain Rankin: Paul Carr, Scotland are sitting second you clown!