The 2025 Six Nations kicks off at the Stade de France with an intriguing opening fixture between pretournament favorites France and out-of-form Wales. The French have inspirational captain Antoine Dupont back among the ranks and will be aiming to build on their autumn international wins over New Zealand and Australia.

Head coach Warren Gatland is overseeing a transition to a young squad, but many of his players are yet to taste victory in a red shirt and many onlookers will be expecting tonight to defeat no.13. France will be raring to go, and have Antoine Dupont chomping at the bit after skipping last year in favour of Olympics preparations.

Beauden Barrett says NZ Rugby's current rules of only picking players who play in this country is the way to go.