Wales v France LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations clash as hosts wilt under second half pressure
Wales 24-40 France: Les Bleus finally come to play with an impressive, aggressive display against Warren Gatland’s youthful team
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Wales succumbed to another Six Nations defeat after a blazing show in the second half saw France power their way to a 21-point victory in Cardiff.
An open first half fluctuated between the teams as both sides made repeated mistakes allowing the other to score. Wales opened the scoring with an early penalty - ably kicked by Sam Costelow - before the visitors responded with three points of their own. As both attacks proved to by clinical, the lead switched hands four times with Les Bleus taking a 17-20 lead into the break.
Warren Gatland’s team talk inspired a fine start to the second half as Joe Roberts dove over for another try but from there it was all France. The visitors spent quarter of an hour or so camped inside Wales’ 22, scoring two tries and a penalty kick to extend themselves beyond Wales’ capabilities.
A last minute try from Maxime Lucu put the icing on the cake and France ran away 45-24 winners in a much needed successful result.
Relive the action from the Six Nations below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
France overpower Wales in timely reminder of their brutal beauty
Rumours of France’s demise appear to have been exaggerated. This will not be a Six Nations to remember for Fabien Galthie’s side regardless of how they fare against England next week, the title all but out of reach even with a bonus point victory here in Cardiff, but this was a timely reminder of some of the brutal beauty that so characterised their build towards the home World Cup.
A clash of French Goliaths and Welsh Davids ending with the travelling titans standing tall. Wales had ducked and weaved so impressively for 60 minutes, opening up an advantage over their visitors, but it always felt like a haymaker might come.
France overpower Wales in timely reminder of their brutal beauty
Wales 24-45 France: France’s bench might told as Wales were overwhelmed in another valiant defeat
Wales coach Warren Gatland:
“We were up 24-23 but we didn’t manage the game with turnovers and we’re disappointing with some soft points given away.
“We probably overplayed. When we were down by six points and you’re thinking just play territory make it easy for yourselves but we hurt ourselves and not played well enough in that last period.
“France put our scrum under pressure, that’s something we’ve been working hard on and we’re not there at the moment. I thought our lineout was excellent and our line speed could have been better.
“The plan was if we went multiple phases then we’d cause them lots of problems and we did.
“But we didn’t help ourselves with some of the mistakes for us.”
Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins gives his reaction:
“We felt like the French would fatigue later on with their big pack. It didn’t go to plan but we’ll look at it and come back next week. We were excited about the physical battle but we definitely came off second best.
“The boys give everything week in week out and I don’t think it was fatigue, everyone will play all day for their country but it’s just the accuracy. Next week is massive for us because we don’t want to finish bottom.
“Italy have won here before so we’re not going to take them for granted but we’ve got to reflect on this game and see how we can be better.”
France captain Gregory Alldritt:
“We had a great performance today, we were really frustrated after Italy and wanted to make France proud again so it’s great to do that at this stadium.
“We have a massive massive pack, and we wanted to be tough on the collision.
“We have some really good young players and I’m really proud of them and that Nolan Le Garrec scored a try as well.”
Sam Warburton on the BBC
“The word power was used a lot in commentary and rightly so. You can talk a lot about the fluffy things but when you lose the physical battle then more than often you won’t win the game.
“You saw the warning signs in the first half and Wales were holding on in the game when France’s big ball-carriers were come off the number nine.”
Martin Johnson giving his thoughts:
“The writing was on the wall before the subs were made. Wales were trying to stem that power and as the first half went on the power was starting to tell.
“It was a really mature performance from France. Wales scored their best try at the start of the second half and then almost didn’t see the ball again.”
Reaction from Benjamin Kayser:
“It’s a fantastic victory for France, 45 points at the Principality Stadium doesn’t come every week. The youngsters played well but the bench was huge and it’s about how you use your bench.
“With a 6-2 split, bringing four forwards at the same time was key.”
Jonathan Davies on the BBC
“It’s the dominance and the gainline up front. Wales tried to play wider but in the end, France plugged those gaps and forced Wales into errors.
“Once France reverted to their forward dominance and crashing over the gainline it showed and they came away with points from it.
Full-time! Wales 24-45 France
A wonderful match in Cardiff comes to a close with another defeat for Warren Gatland’s developing side. France ran away with the match in the final quarter and closed out an easy win in the end.
TRY! Wales 24-45 France, (Maxime Lucu, 80 minutes)
A scrum right outside Wales’ try line in the last minute of the game sees France inflict more pain on Wales as they get over the line for a fifth try of the night.
Thomas Ramos misses the kick but it’s a dominant victory for the visitors.
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