Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

George North seals Welsh comeback against France in thrilling Six Nations opener

Re-live all the action from the Six Nations opener in Paris

Harry Latham-Coyle,Bradley West
Friday 01 February 2019 19:04 GMT
Comments
Six Nations preview: Wales in profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wales staged a remarkable second-half comeback to stun France 24-19 on a memorable opening Six Nations night in Paris.

Warren Gatland's team trailed 16-0 at the interval, but they responded magnificently to claim a 10th successive win and equal their longest unbeaten run since 1999.

Tries by scrum-half Tomos Williams and wing George North, who capitalised on opposite number Yoann Huget's defensive howler, plus two Gareth Anscombe conversions and a Dan Biggar penalty edged Wales ahead following a 15-minute purple patch.

And after France went back in front through a Camille Lopez penalty, North claimed his second try - a stunning 60-metre interception effort that Biggar converted - to give Wales a seventh victory from the last eight starts against France.

Re-live the action below:


24 second half points from Wales to overturn the sizeable. Remarkable character shown by Warren Gatland's side.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:52

24-19 the final score. France threw it away, quite literally in the case of Sebastien Vahaamahina as George North was gifted two tries.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:54

Quite the beginning to the 2019 Six Nations. The biggest deficit overturned in a half in the history of the championships.

Mistakes abounded throughout the 80 minutes and neither side found any semblance of attacking flow for most of the game. 

It was a game characterised by errors, and fittingly it was two from France that Wales capitalised on to secure victory.

Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez's off nights from the tee can not be discounted, either. 

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:59

An unlikely victory. 16 points in arrears at half-time, whatever Warren Gatland said at the interval worked as Wales reemerged with vigour and venom to turn the course of the game around.

Another disappointing evening in front of their home fans for France, and this will be a particularly touch loss to take. It was a game they should have won, and you could see the pain in the crestfallen faces of the players on the full-time whistle.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 22:05

An fantastic start to the Six Nations. A game full of twists, turns and little controversy, with a potential contender in Wales showing real steel in a comeback victory and enough of a glimpse from the vanquished French that they will make things sticky for opponents throughout the next couple of months. 

Scotland and Italy to come tomorrow in the early afternoon as the precursor for what could be the game of the tournament in Dublin. 

Plenty of coverage from Italy's trip to Murrayfield and Ireland-England to come tomorrow, in addition to plenty of reaction and fallout from tonight's dramatic Wales win.

I've been ​Harry Latham-Coyle for The Independent - thank you for joining me.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 22:12

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in