France v Wales LIVE: Six Nations 2025 result and reaction as Les Bleus thump outclassed visitors
France 43-0 Wales: The returning Antoine Dupont orchestrated a ruthless first-half display from the tournament favourites as Warren Gatland’s men had their losing streak extended
France and Wales kicked off the Six Nations under the Friday night lights in Paris and another thrilling edition of rugby’s greatest annual championship begun with Les Bleus routing their outclassed visitors 43-0.
Warren Gatland’s side are winless since the 2023 World Cup having gone the entirety of 2024 without Test success, and never looked like breaking that duck in Paris despite a promising first 10 minutes. After that period, France stepped things up and ran riot against their young opponents.
The hosts welcomed back captain Antoine Dupont after his absence was keenly felt last year and the world’s best player proved exactly why he has that title with a scintillating first-half display that saw him directly assist three of the four tries in the opening 40 minutes.
Les Bleus ran in three more tries after the break but didn’t enjoy a perfect evening as Romain Ntamack was sent off late on for a reckless hit to the head of Ben Thomas, meaning he may well miss the next couple of games for Fabien Galthie’s side as they chase just a second tournament triumph since 2010.
Relive all of the action from the opening clash at the Stade de France in our live blog below:
France 0-0 Wales, 11 mins
Wales won’t mind this start at all - 10 minutes and they haven’t conceded. Defensively, especially, they’ve looked decent
Now they pinch the ball in the French half and Morgan makes another powerful carry to gain metres. Ben Thomas then tries a dinked cross-kick towards Rogers, he contests with Ramos and the ball hits the deck for a knock-on.
Wales scrum in the French 22
France 0-0 Wales, 10 mins
Frustrating knock-on for Wales as Watkin fumbles a low pass. First scrum of the day, just inside the Welsh half... Remember we’ve got a new law where the opposition scrum half has to stay further back and can’t harry the No 9 putting in.
Dupont doesn’t need much time to create something anyway... But he won’t get a chance as, after a couple of resets, France ar epinged for engaging early and it’s a Welsh free-kick. They happily clear
France 0-0 Wales, 7 mins
More good defence by Wales as Barassi, the new French centre gets smashed and the ball bounces into touch. French lineout though as it came off a Welsh hand.
Lovely play by France down the right, Moefana releasing winger Theo Attisogbe - in for the injured Penaud - and he’s into the 22. Good tackle by Reffell to stop the offload.
And a phase later, it’s great breakdown work by Reffell again to pinch the ball and win the penalty. Talk about making an impact as a blood substitute
France 0-0 Wales, 4 mins
Aaron Wainwright has taken a knock to the face, blood everywhere so he exits and Tommy Reffell comes on in the Welsh back row as a blood substitution.
Wales hoof clear from the goal-line drop out. They were nearly caught out by some Dupont magic but survive for now.
France 0-0 Wales, 3 mins
The lineout is clean, France unchallenged at the tail. Time to work the phases in the Welsh 22.
Couple of big carries from the forwards, then it’s a French penalty as Atonio is illegally tackled.
And Dupont taps and goes! Scythes through defenders, catching Wales off guard and gets over the line but he’s held up. The scramble defence from the visitors holds
France 0-0 Wales, 2 mins
First touch from the returning Antoine Dupont as he kicks long from his own 22. Nice carry by his opposite captain Jac Morgan then makes a few metres for Wales in midfield.
Box kick comes back to Wales and they’ve got a decent position but spill the ball, Thomas Ramos boots into the backfield and nails a 50-22! Superb kick from the full back and this is a golden opportunity for France.
KICK-OFF! France 0-0 Wales
The 2025 Six Nations is underway! Ben Thomas boots the ball into the Parisian night sky
France vs Wales
Stirring renditions of both anthems, with La Marseillaise almost taking the roof off the place.
We’re just about ready to go
France vs Wales
Out go the house lights as the stadium announcer invites the crowd to roar the surnames of the French staff and squad. A mighty roar of “Dupont”, as one would expect - what a delight it is to have the little master back in this competition, however fun his sevens sojourn proved.
The rain, pleasingly, has relented, which may create a slightly more open game. How long can Wales match France for?
Stade de France heating up
We’ve got about 15 minutes until kick-off in Paris. It’s all starting to heat up despite the rain
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