Image source, Getty Images

The hostility of the French crowd is something Wales lock Will Rowlands has become accustomed to.

The 33-year-old is in his second season with Paris-based Racing 92 after joining from Dragons.

He says he cannot wait to run out to the 80,000 crowd at Stade de France.

"These are the moments why you play professional rugby," he said.

"It adds a bit of shine for me definitely playing in France and going back there with my national side to play the French national side.

"There will be a few interested colleagues that's for sure."

Good start for Wales, they have won the coin toss and will take the kick-off.

Rugby superstar Antoine Dupont talks about his friendship with Zinedine Zidane, pranks in the French camp, and how he used the Top 14 trophy as a surfboard!

Illtud Dafydd
Agence France-Presse reporter on BBC Radio Wales

Inside the [French] set-up they're not talking too much about pressure, but they do realise there is some expectations considering the golden generation they do currently have in Antoine Dupont leading as half-back.

Jonathan Davies
Wales and British & Irish Lions centre on Clwb Rygbi

Image source, Getty Images

He can do everything so well, at the highest standard.

The way he defends, he's so physical and he reads the game so well.

He's just a brilliant player, simply.

Alun Wyn Jones
Former Wales captain on Scrum V The Warm-Up

We're unbeaten in 2025!

It's a positive thing, it's not meant to be tongue in cheek, because as players they will want to move on as well.

Speaking on Sarra Elgan's Six Nations Preview, Warren Gatland reflects on a difficult 2024 and looks ahead to this year's Six Nations.

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Warren Gatland will raise his metaphorical bat when he reaches 150 games in charge of Wales tonight.

And the nation will be hoping there is no cricket score at Stade de France.

During his two stints in charge, Gatland's overall record stands at 149 matches with 76 wins, 71 defeats and two draws.

Sioned Harries
Former Wales back row on Clwb Rygbi

I think they have to beat Italy.

Success will be beating Italy, an improvement in performance and if they can win in Italy, then start talking about possible wins against Ireland and England at home.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Liam Williams is hoping to resume his mission to become the 10th member of the 100 Wales cap club.

The 33-year-old Saracens back is set for his 93rd appearance against France tonight.

Williams missed last year's Six Nations while he had a stint in Japanese rugby, but can reach a century during this year's tournament.

"My aim is to get 100 caps for Wales, and if that happens it is the icing on the cake," said Williams.

"If it doesn't, then it doesn't, and that is just the way it is. But that is my aim."

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France have the upper hand over Wales as the Six Nations captains take on this very serious reaction challenge!

Tom Shanklin
Former Wales international on Scrum V The Warm-Up

We're coming into this campaign off the back of some good regional performances which will help a little bit of confidence, a little bit of self-belief.

You've got to cling on to the positives because if you look at the two teams, France and Wales, they are just not comparable.

Part of me thinks it's the best time to play France... Sometimes you want to get teams before they get too much momentum. But it's also a tough one because we're going in cold as well.

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5Live

The reality is Wales won't win tonight, that's my firm belief. I'm sure I'm not wrong on that, I am on a lot of other things. In terms of the approach go out and swing the bat, because there's zero pressure.

You look at this Welsh side its littered with young players, but it's also got loads of experience. When you look at the caps that Wales have versus France it is fairly equal.

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Wales and British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts says playing in France on a Friday night is "one of the best rugby experiences in the game".

He even went as far to say Stade de France is his favourite place to play.

"Obviously Cardiff, the Principality Stadium is amazing. Top of the list for me though is the Stade de France," he said.

What do you think?

Thumbs up for Paris, thumbs down for Cardiff.

Adam Jones will be Wales' scrum consultant for the Six Nations after being given a secondment by Harlequins.

The former Wales and British and Irish Lions prop is no stranger to success, having won four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams during a 100 Test cap career.

Jones says it's been hard to see Wales struggle in recent years and backs Warren Gatland to turn things around.

Josh Navidi
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions back row on BBC Radio Wales

I have been out there and we have been written off from the first minute and we ended up winning and winning the Grand Slam.

I am always positive for the boys. I think we have enough players to get that win, but going out there it's not going to be easy.

People are saying to me it’s going to be 25-30 points. I am not sure if it is going to be that.

Philippe Saint-Andre
Former France coach on BBC Radio Wales

The [French] guys are very focussed, they expect to win the Six Nations, but for this it is very important to win the first game.

Friday night I'm sure will be a cracking game against a Welsh team with a lot of surprises.

You see Toulouse and Bordeaux, they win all their games, we have La Rochelle...French rugby is very very strong, Fabien Galthie can have 50-55 top quality players.

When I was coach in 2011 to 2015 we could not beat Wales, it was your fantastic generation, we were losing all the time, but now you have a young team, not too much confidence and this French team is very confident.

We respect the Welsh team.

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Turning our attention back to tonight's game, and captain Antoine Dupont has played down France's favourites tag for this year's championship.

"You can say what you want," he told the media.

"We know how difficult it is to win a Six Nations without even thinking about the Grand Slam.

"We know the requirements needed, the consistency needed for pretty much two months. For now, we will focus on the first game, we have a lot of ambition like a lot of teams in this competition. So we won’t talk about a Grand Slam today."

Ugo Monye
Former England wing Ugo Monye

England are at a stage now that they need to deliver a title. With the player pool, domestic game and finances, they have to do it.

It is time that the team get a lot closer to their potential.