Pivac braced for meeting world's most 'in-form team' as Wales host France

Wayne Pivac believes that Wales will face "the in-form team in the world" when they tackle Guinness Six Nations opponents France. While Wales' hopes of a successful title defence were effectively ended by defeat against England last time out, France remain on course for Six Nations silverware and a first Grand Slam since 2010. They are unbeaten this season, having toppled the likes of New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, and arrive in Cardiff as red-hot favourites.

Cardiff's Principality Stadium could be some 10,000 short of hitting its 74,500 capacity - the Friday 8pm kick-off an inevitable hindrance to ticket sales - but a fascinating encounter looks in store. The countries' last five Six Nations meetings have produced an aggregate winning margin of just 14 points, and France can reflect on a solitary Cardiff triumph in the last 12 years. "There are a few seats left.

It would be great to see those seats filled up," Wales head coach Pivac said. "Both sides want to play an entertaining brand of rugby and I think you have got the side at the moment who are probably the in-form team in the world in France. "We certainly have had a couple of great games against them in recent times, so I think it will be a cracker." Pivac has never fielded an unchanged team during his 26-Test reign, with that sequence continuing as Jonathan Davies, Gareth Thomas, Seb Davies and a fit-again Josh Navidi have all been called into the starting line-up.

Navidi features in a reshaped back-row alongside Davies and Taulupe Faletau, with the breakdown set to be a crucial factor behind which team finishes on top. "We all know who the players are that have picked up some serious injuries. That's the nature of the game.