France vs. Wales: 5 Key Battles That Will Shape 2015 Six Nations Clash
France and Wales may already be considered out of the running for this year's Six Nations title to some, but the pair will collide in Paris this Saturday in the hopes of breathing new life into their campaigns.
Warren Gatland brings a fully fit squad to the Stade de France, while Philippe Saint-Andre has had injuries and suspensions to contend with in recent days.
Nonetheless, the French capital will play host to a star-studded battle between European giants. They sit level on points coming into Week 3 but hold full intentions of gaining an advantage.
Read on for a look at some of those head-to-head clashes that will have a key hand in deciding Saturday's table-turning tie.
1. Brice Dulin vs. Leigh Halfpenny
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Scott Spedding was one of two South Africans left out of Philippe Saint-Andre's squad for this weekend's test in Paris, with Racing Metro's Brice Dulin coming in at full-back instead.
Some might have argued Dulin deserved to start for Les Bleus ahead of Spedding as he brings a potentially devastating influence to the No. 15 jersey.
However, Spedding's 6'2" height may have been one area putting him in good stead to deal with Halfpenny's aerial threat, which was shown to be substantial in the win over Scotland.
Halfpenny's critics have outlined that he perhaps doesn't offer the same running threat as Liam Williams would at the back, but his defensive nous will be put to the sword with Dulin coming into the French setup.
2. Yoann Maestri vs. Alun Wyn Jones
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Yoann Maestri will be expected to play a bigger hand in the French pack this weekend as Pascal Pape endures his 10-week suspension and Romain Taofifenua dubbed his replacement.
Maestri has been reliable, if not fantastic, so far in this year's Six Nations, but Alun Wyn Jones will force the Toulouse lock to provide his best.
Maestri would usually have his more senior partner to rely on, but the less-experienced second-rower will be expected to take a lead when it comes to the set piece at the Stade de France.
Jones won't be forgiving of any weakness in Maestri's play and promises to take an upper hand alongside Luke Charteris should Maestri shrink from the challenge.
3. Wesley Fofana vs. Jamie Roberts
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Mathieu Bastareaud's dropping to the bench makes for a dramatic shift in Saint-Andre's usual XV, but Wesley Fofana remains the midfield staple for Les Bleus.
The Clermont Auvergne talisman will be something of a familiar face for Jamie Roberts, who clashes against a host of fellow Top 14 stars in Paris this weekend.
On paper, either talent has the potential to be match-decider come Saturday, should they be able to summon their best. Roberts in particular is enjoying a stellar patch of club form and showing what a catalyst he's capable of being in the Scottish victory.
Fofana can be France's puppeteer when at his optimum, but Roberts will need to use his frame to ensure the playmaker's impact is limited if Wales are to stand a chance of emerging from Paris triumphant.
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4. Bernard Le Roux vs. Sam Warburton
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According to ESPN Scrum, Bernard Le Roux has made 32 tackles in the first two rounds of this year's Six Nations, which gives him an awesome average of 16 tackles per game.
Sam Warburton's average of 11.5 isn't quite as impressive, but then one has to take into account the amount of possession enjoyed per match as well.
Warburton's Wales have a good chance of seeing less of the ball against Les Bleus, which would give him an opportunity to show what stamina he has in defence.
Gatland's captain will be looked to as the man to lead Wales in their hopes of a Paris win, but Le Roux and flank partner Thierry Dusautoir will be some exhausting foes to beat at the breakdown.
5. Yoann Huget vs. Liam Williams
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Liam Williams showed enough against Scotland to convince coach Gatland that Alex Cuthbert was the right man to drop this weekend, but Yoann Huget will give the winger a stern examination to see if that move was the correct one.
Toulouse maestro Huget offers one of the most consistent scoring outlets in this Six Nations, having come close to top try-scorer of last year's tournament with a tally of three.
Scarlets star Williams is the in-form man of Welsh rugby, though, and the slightest giveaway in yardage could offer either speedster the chance to make it tell on the scoreboard.
The speed of Roberts and Jonathan Davies in midfield will play a big part in just how much ball Williams receives in good quality, though, as Wales look to promote a faster, more fluid approach through the backs.
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