France vs Wales as it happened: 18-minute scrum ends with French victory

Relive France's dramatic 98th-minute win over Wales in Paris

Halfpenny kicked two mammoth penalties of more than 50 metres (Getty)

France and Wales battle in Paris in an effort to claim second place in the Six Nations championship, should Ireland slip-up when they take on England in the final match of the day, while the Welsh will also be gunning for fourth place in the world rankings in an effort to seal a top seed in the 2019 Rugby World Cup draw. Follow the latest here.

• France vs Wales kicks off at 14:45
• Both Wales and France can finish as high as second and as low as fifth
• Wales need to beat France and hope Ireland lose to claim fourth in the world rankings
• Teams:
• France: B Dulin; N Nakaitaci, R Lemerat, G Fickou, V Vakatawa; C Lopez, B Serin; C Baille, G Guira, R Slimani, S Vahaamahina, Y Maestri, F Sanconnie, K Gourdon, L Picamoles.
• Replacements: C Chat, U Atonio, E Ben Arous, J Le Devedec, B Le Roux, A Dupont, F Trinh-Duc, Y Huget.
• Wales: L Halfpenny; G North, J Davies, S Williams, L Williams; D Biggar, R Webb; R Evans, K Owens, T Francis, J Ball, A W Jones, S Warburton, J Tipuric, R Moriarty.
• Replacements: S Baldwin, N Smith, S Lee, L Charteris, T Faletau, G Davies, S Davies, J Roberts.

Follow the live action below...

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Preview...

What time does it start?

France vs Wales kicks off at 14:45 at the Stade de France.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BBC One from 14:25. You can also follow the match with The Independent’s live blog here.

[18 March 2017 14:39 · Jack Austin]

Hello and welcome to the second game of the day as Wales travel to France in their final Six Nations game. Only ranking points to play for here with Wales knowing if they win they will be among the top seeds for the World Cup draw.

[18 March 2017 14:40 · Jack Austin]

Time for the anthems...

[18 March 2017 14:46 · Jack Austin]

1 min: And we're underway at the Stade de France! Who are you backing here?

[18 March 2017 14:49 · Jack Austin]

 3 mins: An early penalty for France here - it's in front of the post but a good 45 metres out... But Lopez misses - just! 

[18 March 2017 14:50 · Jack Austin]

5 mins: France have started the better here and they've got a penalty. They can feel the momentum and kicked to the corner... But Wales win the lineout and Biggar hacks the ball clear!

[18 March 2017 14:54 · Jack Austin]

6 mins: TRY! France open the scoring under the posts! Tipuric gets turned over, Lopez chips the ball over the defence and Remi Lamerat catches and touches down! Lopez adds the extras and it's France 7 Wales 0.

[18 March 2017 14:56 · Jack Austin]

10 mins: Rhys Webb goes for a dart and wins some hard yards for Wales. The Welsh have a scrum and really need to get a foothold in this game before it's too late.

[18 March 2017 14:59 · Jack Austin]

12 min: France spin the scrum and Vakatawa breaks free and although Wales have the ball back, again they find themselves needing Biggar to clear from behind his try line. 

[18 March 2017 15:02 · Jack Austin]

15 mins: ANOTHER penalty to France after Wales collapse the scrum. Lopez, under the posts, makes it France 10 Wales 0

[18 March 2017 15:07 · Jack Austin]

18 mins: So close for Wales! Davies recovers the ball after Williams loses it in the rip and Webb gets it out to Biggar who sends a try-scoring pass to North which is intercepted and knocked forward by Vakatawa. Is it deliberate? The TMO is having a long look at it... it's a yellow card for the winger and a penalty to Wales.