France 41 – 28 Wales: Five try France defeat Wales in Paris thriller

France (20) 41
Tries: Penaud (2), Denty, Atonio, Fickou     Cons: Ramos (5)    Pens: Ramos (2)

Wales (7) 28
Tries:  North, Roberts, Tomas Williams, Dyer   Cons: Biggar (3), Halfpenny    Pens: 

Warren Gatland’s side had taken a surprise lead with George North scoring early after an early spell of dominance was rewarded. 

France though responded and whilst under par in the first period would lead through clinical flowing finishes from Damien Penaud and Jonathan Denty.

The second period the French would show their superiority with further scores for Uini Atonio and Gael Fickou to put the game to bed and put the result beyond doubt.

Wales to their credit would fight hard and pulled the scoreline back to respectability with scores from replacements Bradley Roberts and Tomas Williams.

In an entertaining finale, both sides added further points with Penaud crossing for his second of the match, whilst Rio Dyer’s try for Wales was a fitting conclusion to a pulsating contest.

Focus will now move onto Wales preparation ahead of September’s World Cup in France with Back-to-back home and away warm-up matches with arch enemy England in the first two weeks of August.

A challenging encounter with World champions South Africa a week later at the Principality Stadium then the last outing for Gatland to assess his squad before the big kick off against Fiji on September 10 in Bordeaux.

With the Kiwi choosing many experienced players for the battle with reigning Six Nations champions France, the outcome of the match was always going to raise questions over selection.

However, it was another positive step in the right direction, with Wales competitive for large periods of the game. Undone mainly by moments of brilliance within the French midfield from talismanic captain Antoine Dupont the orchestrator as the French at times reached a high gear.

Wales had been much improved a week ago in their 29-17 victory over Italy in Rome with a bonus point victory curtesy of tries from Rio Dyer, Liam Williams, Toby Faletau and penalty try.

France though are a very different proposition to Italy. Clinical and ruthless in their execution, head coach Fabien Galthié’s side’s dismantling of England last weekend raised many an eyebrow. 

A statement seven try 53-10 victory by a record-breaking margin, breathtaking at times with raw pace and fluidity in abundance.

Gatland, tasked with the unenviable conundrum to find a tactical approach to neutralise the French attack opted to call upon some of Wales tried and trusted with the three of Wales’ most experience internationals Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and George North recalled to the starting lineup.

It was six changes in all as the former British and Irish Lion’s coach once again tinkered looking for his desired XV. Saracens Nick Tomkins joining North in midfield, whilst there was a first tournament start for flanker Aaron Wainwright, with Louis Rees-Zammit replacing the injured Liam Williams at full back.

Wales started positively forcing an error in the French ruck to win an early penalty, gaining territory into the French twenty-two. Full of confidence, Ken Owens driving from the resulting lineout but unable to ground over the French try line.

The pressure continued as Gatland’s side enjoyed the lion’s share of the early play and dually took a deserved lead. Rhys Webb the catalyst feeding North quickly from the ruck to dart through the French defense from 10-yards to give Wales the lead.

France, having won the last four meetings between the two sides responded immediately. Romain Ntamack braking clear to split the Welsh defense, before quickly offloading to captain Dupont. The Toulouse scrum-half showing good vision to pick out winger Penaud with a 30-yard pass to score in the right-hand corner.

Wales would fight hard and edge the first quarter, seeing the majority of the ball, but would struggle to penetrate openings. The French, leading the tournament tackle count, would show their resolute qualities out of possession stifling several phases of play to keep the scores level.

The Welsh discipline though would let them down as they started to give penalties away in their own half. The boot of fly-half Thomas Ramos, gleefully accepting the opportunity to edge his side into the lead for the first-time, slotting over the posts successfully in what would end a perfect kicking afternoon for the Toulouse player.

The speed of transition in play with ball in hand would be too much for Wales on the stroke of half time as the French scored their second try.

Centre Danty finishing a flowing move after Penaud had gone close taking Welsh bodies out of play on the opposite wing. 

Dupont once again heavily involved in the midfield playmaking routine as a flow of four passes saw Stade Rochelais’ Denty power over the Wales try line to put distance between the two sides at the interval.

With their tails up, Galthié’s side started strongly in the second period keen to add to their advantage and soon scored a third try. Powerful prop Atonio bulldozing powerfully through several Welsh bodies after several phases of French play to score his first try for his country.

France started to show their superiority and class minutes later adding a fourth to gain a bonus point. Fickou’s pace too much for North sprinting free from his opposite number after Ntamack had drawn a tackle to make space for the Racing 92 Centre.

It would be impressive from Galthié’s side who had now broken their tournament record of 18 tries set in 2021.

Wales responded well and replied with a try of their own after a spell of pressure saw territory gained in the French twenty-two. Wing Josh Adams working well to recycle the ruck before finding replacement hooker Roberts to power through two challenges to cross the French try line.

With France becoming a bit static in defense and narrow in play, Wales found a way through once again to score a third try to give themselves a chance of an unlikely comeback. 

Playing with heart and courage their forward pack built an opportunity resulting in replacement Tomas Williams burrowing over after a neat switch of play from Justin Tipuric.

It would be purely a consolation for Gatland’s side as Penaud crossed late for his second of the afternoon to add gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages, before Dyer once again pulled points back for Wales with a breakaway score in the last action of the match.

In the end though, it was a convincing victory for the French, their 17^th triumph in the last 18 tests.

France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier (Falatea-Moefana 74), Ntamack, Dupont (capt) (Lucu 74), Baille (Wardi 49), Marchand, Atonio (Falatea 47), Flament, Taofifenua, Cros, Ollivon (Macalou 74), Alldritt.

Wales XV: Rees-Zammit (Halfpenny 74), Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer, Biggar (Owen Williams 75), Webb (Tomas Williams 54), Wyn Jones (Roberts 44), Owens (Captain) (Thomas 44), Francis (Lewis 57), Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau (Reffell 62).

(Lead image: Planet Rugby / Getty)