The New Zealander’s outfit kick off the 2019 tournament in Paris looking for a fast start at a venue where they have an impressive recent record.
Save for the 2017 defeat at Stade de France, Wales have won six of their previous seven meetings with Les Bleus. That run dates back to 2012, the year Wales claimed Grand Slam glory.
Gatland will be hoping that impressive statistic continues as he mulls over who to send out into battle. On the back of a nine-game winning streak, one of the defining characteristics of this Wales side over the last year has been the emergence of youth to challenge the more established elite.
That is unlikely to change in this year’s Six Nations.
“There could be a change in a few starting positions if one or two youngsters fulfil their potential,” Gatland said.
“That’s going to be up to those one or two players to realise themselves they’re capable of being number one in their position. I definitely haven’t got a starting 15 in my head, but I am aware there is some real competition in the squad and that we’re in a good place mentally.
“I have been asked what youngster could start for Wales in the tournament and I mentioned Tomos Williams. I don’t think Gareth Davies is going to be fit for the first game. He picked up a quad strain. Tomas is a young player who is pretty talented, he’s pretty competitive, and he’s combative as well. He doesn’t back down to anything.
“I think he’s got the potential to keep improving and developing. He could be something pretty special.”
Wales’ Six Nations rivals England and Ireland have both undertaken rigorous training camps in Portugal to prepare for the tournament. Gatland’s side have been based at their usual home in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Gatland said: “We think we have the best rugby facilities in the world. Why would we move away from what we have at the Vale?
“Looking at the first couple of games if we can win in Paris it sets us up for the following week with an extra day of rest. I think we’re the team traditionally that gets stronger towards the end of the tournament the more momentum and confidence we get.
“We’re aware of how important that opening game is.
“We used the autumn as much more of a conditioning phase looking to prepare for the Six Nations. The players are in a good place.
“Where we are at the moment we’ve probably got more niggles and injuries than we would have liked when we picked our squad. On our first day of training we had 29 training.
“Those numbers will improve this week. I think what we’ve created over the last 12 months has been an expectation and a professionalism within the squad that players are driving themselves, driving each other, supporting each other, helping each other, and setting some great standards.
“I couldn’t be happier as a coach about where we are and how well we’ve been building. For us it’s about having a good Six Nations and looking ahead to the end of the year.
“Hopefully it’s a good and successful year for us.”
Wales’ training sessions will go to another level on Monday and Tuesday. Gatland will announce his team to face France on Wednesday before the squad depart for Paris that afternoon.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones said: “We are well aware we need to get our foot in the door against this French side. They will be buoyed by the type of game they played towards the end of 2018.
“It will be one of the toughest games we’ll play because it’s away from home. To win would be a quality start.”
