Six Nations 2024: Wales aim to exploit Antoine Dupont absence

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont helped inspire France's Six Nations victory in Cardiff in 2022

Wales will aim to exploit the absence of France captain Antoine Dupont as they bid for a first 2024 Six Nations win on Sunday.

Scrum-half Dupont has opted to miss this year's tournament to represent France's sevens team as they prepare for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

"Dupont is a massive loss for them," said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

"That is his leadership and experience, the ability for probably the best player in the world to change a game."

Gatland added: "I've seen some clips of him in the sevens and the impact that he is already having in that programme."

• Pick your Wales XV to face France in Six Nations

• Dupont inspires France to beat GB in sevens final

• Martin reflects on 'biggest moment of life'

Wales have suffered narrow defeats against Scotland and England in this year's Six Nations as well as a 31-7 loss to defending champions Ireland.

France arrive in Cardiff having suffered a heavy home loss against Ireland and sneaked a controversial away win against Scotland before drawing at home against Italy in a game that saw Les Bleus centre Jonathan Dante shown a red card.

Gatland says the target, as usual, will be to tire out France's powerful pack.

"It's probably no different from the past tactically how we played against France, having the same sort of mindset," said Gatland.

"They are going to come hard at you early so you have got to stay in that battle, and try and negate that physical dominance of their forwards and the huge size they have.

"We need to have good line speed defensively, which Italy brought to their game, and hopefully when some of their forwards begin to tire a bit, you are able to take advantage."

Gatland says the smaller stature of Wales' forwards compared to Ireland's in the last round of games was noticeable.

Cardiff number eight Mackenzie Martin, who made his debut in Dublin as a replacement, is a more physical option, while prop Rhys Carre continues to be overlooked despite his impressive club form.

"That's just where we're at," said Gatland.

"If I'm honest, looking at the two teams when they're warming up, you saw the size and shape of that Irish 23. I think 17 of their 23 came from Leinster, so they've got continuity and consistency as a team.

"We know what a quality side they are. In terms of their preparation and being together, they're probably quite a long way ahead of us at the moment. That's something for us to keep working hard on.

"I cannot question the effort of the players. We were probably outmuscled a bit on both sides of the ball. That's probably a reflection of their experience and age difference at the moment.

"We have some young boys who in the next couple of years are definitely going to learn from some of the experiences they've had.

"It could end up being a big physical forward pack in 12 months or so. That's just a work in progress for us."

Gatland is hoping to complete the Six Nations with home victories against France and Italy as Wales aim to avoid finishing bottom of the table for the first time in 21 years.

"Test match rugby is all about winning and performing," said Gatland.

"The expectation we have is on ourselves. We had a couple of close games where we showed some promise and then came up against probably the best team in the world at the moment.

"We've got an opportunity in the next couple of games to go out there, keep working hard and improving. Hopefully the next two games, we can come away with wins."

• MOMENTS, MUSIC AND NOSTALGIA: Wynne delves into the archives of the 1980s

• FOR THE LOVE OF SPORT: The biggest names in Welsh sport and the stories behind them