Wales vs France LIVE: Women’s Six Nations rugby result and final score as Les Bleues continue winning run
Follow all the action from the round four clash at Cardiff Arms Park
Follow live updates as Wales look to pull off a huge upset as they host undefeated France in the Women’s Six Nations. The visitors are aiming to continue their Grand Slam bid and victory at Cardiff Arms Park would go halfway to setting up a potential title decider against England Women’s Rugby next weekend.
Wales coach Ioan Cunningham will be expecting a response after his side suffered a heavy defeat to England last time out. Wales came into the match on the back of consecutive wins to open their campaign but despite a resilient effort, a 58-5 defeat at Kingsholm was a crushing blow.
France come into the match with an impressive recent record against the Welsh and have won their past five Six Nations meetings. Les Bleues have beaten Italy, Ireland and Scotland so far to keep their Grand Slam hopes on track, and Wales would be doing England a significant favour if they can spring an upset under the floodlights.
England face Ireland on Sunday and if the two unbeaten sides come through this weekend unscathed, it would set up a Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider in Bayonne on the final weekend of the campaign. Follow live updates from Wales vs France in the Women’s Six Nations, below:
Wales 0-7 France, 18 mins
It was a Wales scrum but Hale is penalised at the set-piece again which has given France a great attacking opportunity.
France set-up a driving maul, which has been deadly for the visitors, and they bag a penalty advantage. They see an opportunity with the advantage in their pocket kick across field but it rolls into touch.
Tremouliere kicks to the corner and the driving maul is sure to be triggered once again. This time Wales have done really well to halt it. Initally the ref call a penalty for Wales but then she changes her mind! So another line-out to come from France.
But wow, France have been penalised for obstruction! This is so fractured at the moment with both teams being pinged.
Wales 0-7 France, 14 mins
How will Wales respond to that sensational score from Sansus? Well so far as they bag a penalty in the middle of the pitch.
Another scrum and the set-piece is far from pretty with another re-set. This time the scrum is clean and Bevan tries to kick away but the kick is charged down!
Sansus almost pounces but the ball bounces in Wales’ favour. Wilkins kicks away and Sansus drops a high ball and yes that means there is yet another scrum.
TRY! Wales 0-7 France (Sansus, 9’)
How does the scrum-half do it?!
She gets the ball from Tremouliere and manages to bundle over. Breath-taking.
Tremouliere gets the conversion.
Wales 0-0 France, 8 mins
Wow that was unbelieveably close! France find themselves two on one but Boujard can’t get a clear pass away to Jacquet!
Another scrum, a French put in, and they come away with it.
France inch closer and closer but Wales manage to win a penalty at the breakdown. Credit to Jones for that reprieve!
Yet another scrum, this time Wales’, and Lillicrp grabs the ball from the base and charges forward. Bevan clears the ball to the 22m. It’s not been a great start for the scrum-half in terms of clearances with France creating another driving maul.
Wales 0-0 France, 5 mins
It was a fairly even opening few exchanges but as France got their first phases going, the visitors look threatening.
Fall made a great break and kick popping through almost sees Caroline Boujard run away. Instead it ends with the first scrum of the match. After a few resets France won the penalty as Hale collapsed the set-piece.
France are now on the attack with an impressive driving maul throwing them forwards.
Kick-off! Wales 0-0 France
We are underway at Cardiff Arms Park.
Will Wales cause an upset? Or can France continue their perfect run?
Wales vs France
The teams have been out and warming up at Cardiff Arms Park ahead of this Women’s Six Nations clash.
Remember this is not the only match this weekend. Italy vs Scotland will kick-off at 7.20pm on Saturday and England vs Ireland will start at 12pm on Sunday.
But our focus is on Wales vs France and the result of this match could have huge implications for who comes out on top.
The teams will be out shortly for the anthems ahead of kick-off.
Wales vs France
This is the first Women’s Six Nations where players in the Wales set-up have had professional contracts. 12 stars have full-time deals and others have retainer contracts and one player who has a professional contract is fly-half Elinor Snowsill.
Snowsill has spoken on the benefits of being a full-time athlete, telling the Six Nations website: “I think going into the weekend not stressed is a huge thing, looking back now, even though I did it for the past 11 years, I don’t know how I did it because it’s just insane.
“There are still players doing it in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations now, working full-time, being pulled left right and centre and then going out and putting in a performance.
“It’s very, very difficult to do, whereas now we have the best chance to put out a performance and we’ve seen that from the first two results.”
Wales vs France
The two teams going head to head are world class but there are some individual talents in the respective sides who supporters should watch out for.
For hosts Wales it’s Alisha Butchers and Siwan Lillicrap. While they may not make headlines all the time, they are cinstantly doing the background work at the scrum and in rucks. They put their team on the front foot and Lillicrap’s leadership spearheads the team to victory.
France, meanwhile, have Caroline Boujard and Madoussou Fall. Boujard will bring fire to their attack which France have lacked during the winger’s absence. And in Fall France have one of the best defenders in the championship. She works tirelessly to hold the gainline and tonight’s match will be no different.
The stars will soon be in action with kick-off coming in half an hour.
Wales vs France
So are France in the perfect position to take the Grand Slam? You would like to think so after recording three bonus point wins but England have done the same.
France will have to continue their perfect streak with another BP win and if they don’t they could gift the title to the Red Roses. Even winning the match without a bonus point could see them lost the title even if they beat England.
It’s a difficult position for France to be in but they have been boosted by the return of Caroline Boujard. The winger scored a hat-trick in the first half against Wales last year and France will be hoping she brings the flair they have been slightly lacking in the 2022 tournament so far.
If they do manage to bag the bonus point they will know they are in the perfect stance to win the title. What would they have to do after that? Beat England.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments