Les Bleues are unbeaten so far in the championship, overcoming a gritty Ireland side in the opening round before storming past Scotland.
Wales, in contrast, are a team in transition, with new head coach Sean Lynn clearly needing time to get his systems in place.
Wales did show promise in the narrow loss to Scotland before a sobering defeat to reigning champions England, with the defence a particular weakness.
Wales have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with France’s pack, but it is the host’s dynamic backline which could set the two sides apart at Stade Amedee-Domenech.
The statistics do not favour Wales either – they have not beaten France since the aforementioned victory at The Gnoll, with Saturday’s hosts winning all eight meetings since.
Previous scorelines also suggest Wales could be in for a difficult afternoon, with France winning by an average margin of 30 points in all of their home matches against Wales.
Last year France ran out 40-0 winners at Cardiff Arms Park on their way to setting up a Grand Slam decider which they lost against England.
It is hard to see the tournament panning out any different this year, but will this finally be the tournament where Les Bleues ditch their bridesmaid tag and claim a long-awaited seventh title? Not if Wales can help it.
France’s coaches Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz must have been happy with what they saw in La Rochelle as they have made just the one change to their starting XV.
The experienced Emilie Boulard returns to the wing in place of Melisande Llorens Vigneras, who drops out of the matchday squad.
Bouldard made a notable impact in the comeback win against Ireland, with her 73rd-minute introduction helping France score three late tries.
Prop Assa Khalfaoui is the only fresh face on the bench.
Similarly, Wales have only made minor changes, with Lynn continuing to show faith in his players.
An ankle injury to Lleucu George forces a change at fly-half, with Kayleigh Powell moving in from the centre to cover her usual position.
Courtney Keight is drafted in to partner skipper Hannah Jones and could provide some much-needed physicality in the midfield.
Like France, Wales have opted for a six-two split on the bench, which makes room for a fit-again Natalia John, while Sian Jones is preferred to Meg Davies as the replacement scrum-half.
Fellow scrum-half Ffion Davies is no longer available after announcing she was leaving the Welsh Rugby Union with immediate effect after learning her contract would not be renewed this summer.
Last year’s tournament top tackler Alex Callender remains a big miss through injury, although could return next week for Ireland, while Alisha Butchers has been declared “not medically fit”.
