The 2019 Six Nations will kick off in France on Friday as
Les Blues will take on Wales in a mouth-watering fixture at the Stade de
France. This match is guaranteed to provide fireworks as both outfits look for
redemption after a less than impressive campaign last year.
Warren Gatland will be looking to start quick out of the
blocks in the French capital, as he seeks to secure his fourth Six Nations
title with the Welsh side. But he will be without star goalkicker and full-back
Leigh Halfpenny who’s been unable to shake off concussion worries that he
sustained three months ago after a heavy collision with Wallabies centre Samu
Kerevi. In an interview Gatland stated:
“Leigh will miss the first couple of games. He is making progress, he is improving, and he has been taking part in training so for us we want to ease him back slowly.”
The Wales Head Coach added:
“But there is not any pressure from us in terms of
trying to rush him back because the most important thing is his health and his
safety.”
Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell (hamstring), Ospreys centre
Scott Williams (ankle) and prop Leon Brown (broken thumb) are also ruled out of
the trip to France the injury.
France have been underwhelming in the Six Nations in recent
years and will be looking to bounce back in this year’s campaign. Inconsistency
has cost the Frenchmen, but with the knowing they beat Wales the last time they
played on French soil 20-18 back in 2017 they’ll be full of confidence that
they could replicate that outcome again on Friday. Jaques Brunel has had to
scramble to find a replacement for flanker Bernard Le Roux. The 29-year-old
will be forced to miss the whole tournament after sustaining a knee injury
playing for Racing 92’s in their victory against Scarlets in Paris on the
weekend.
Despite both teams struggling with injuries, this fixture will be nothing short of a spectacle as they will both be looking for maximum points from the first round as well as a bonus points.
You can check out the latest 6 Nations news and team line ups here.
