France vs. Wales: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Six Nations 2017 Preview

Wales travel to France for the final round of the 2017 Six Nations on Saturday, where coach Rob Howley's side will make one last attempt to leapfrog Les Bleus into the most respectable finish possible.

Just one point separates second from fifth in the standings, but with third-placed France boasting a one-point advantage over the Welsh, Howley's side require a rousing display if they're to have a shot at snatching a runner-up finish.

Both teams come into the clash on the back of morale-boosting wins, with Wales besting Ireland 22-9 at the Principality Stadium before France bulldozed a subpar Italian team 40-18 in Rome last Saturday.

Read on for a preview of Saturday's Paris affair, complete with all the essential viewing information to ensure you don't miss a minute of the action.

Date: Saturday, March 18

Time: 2:45 p.m. GMT/10:45 a.m. ET

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Live Stream: BBC Sport website (UK)

TV Info: BBC One (UK)

Les Bleus Are Back In Town

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

After what's seemed like a long period of French underperformance, Les Bleus now have the opportunity to stage what could be their best finish in the competition for six years.

Rugby World writer Gavin Mortimer recently described the decline in French rugby, something that's been influenced by an influx of southern hemisphere players in the Top 14, France's first tier:

"

Another reason why France have been going backwards in recent years. Too many players love the trappings that come with professionalism...

— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 15, 2017"

A 40-18 trouncing of Italy in Week 4 was the latest indicator that things are progressing well under Guy Noves' command at the Stade de France.  

However, the coach admitted there is still work to be done, per the official Six Nations website: "We did what we needed, but there are a still a number of weaknesses, which are the difference between some teams that we struggle to beat and ourselves. Someday we will have to find a team that can be more clinical, that can hold on to the ball when it needs to, because for now, in 2017, it's too hard to score tries."

With just a point separating Noves' men from the Welsh, a win will be needed if Les Bleus are to live up to their hopes of a runner-up place, although they'd still need England to do a job against Ireland to seal second.

Lions' Pride at Stake

Stu Forster/Getty Images

England's early Six Nations win means most teams have little other than pride at stake in Week 5, although many from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England will have one eye on this summer's British and Irish Lions tour.

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton handed the captaincy to Alun Wyn Jones prior to this year's Six Nations, but the former skipper has assured none among the squad are thinking about Lions' contention, per BBC Sport:

"

I've said it before, but not one player has mentioned the Lions to each other. I actually find it quite funny because the hype for the Lions starts in August/September and everyone is picking their hypothetical Lions XVs.

Obviously, guys want to go on that tour - everybody in our team-room would love to go on the Lions tour - but it's out of our hands completely. All you can do is play as well as you can - and if you get selected you get selected. If not, there is still a fantastic tour in the summer with Wales with a couple of Tests. So plenty left to play for.

"

At the same time, however, The Telegraph's Mick Cleary mused that Warburton could be the perfect foil for Lions captaincy after showing his leadership qualities in this tournament, armband or not:

The first priority for Wales players will, of course, be securing the strongest Six Nations finish possible, however, and what better way to warm up for a French affair than with a 22-9 win over Ireland in Cardiff?

While France's demolition job against Italy was fluid and rather routine, Wales were made to work for their four points last week, and Saturday's blockbuster will show which opponent provided the better preparation.