Six Nations
Wales (7) 14
Tries: – Carre, Grady Cons: – Edwards, Evans.
France (26) 54
Tries: – Gailleton, Bielle-Biarrey, Brau-Boirie, Jalibert, Marchant, Attissogbe (2), Ollivon Cons: Ramos (7)
It would be one way traffic from the get-go as France, brimming off the back of a 36-14 triumph against Ireland in Paris last weekend run in eight tries against a sorry Welsh team that found themselves defending for long periods.
First half scores from centre Émilien Gailleton, wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert had the bonus point and match all but secured by the break.
A second half quick fire double from wing Théo Attissogbe and scores from prop Julien Marchand and second-row Charles Ollivon completed the rout with Wales having only a Rhys Carre first half effort and a late score from replacement Mason Grady to show for their efforts.
Having convincingly been beaten by England 48-7 at Twickenham last weekend, a match against the on form French was always going to be a stern test for head coach Steve Tandy who decided to enforce four changes to his XV.
Physical Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell and Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins returned to the side whilst props Carre and Tomas Francis would also be promoted from the bench, swapping roles with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin in the front row.
France boss Fabien Galthie meanwhile would make two enforced changes to his line-up for the trip to Cardiff with 20-year-old exciting Pau centre Brau-Boirie making his international debut to partner club teammate Gailleton in midfield.
It would take just ninety seconds for the French to punch themselves ahead in front of a vocal travelling support. The first attack seeing a sweeping move from Attissogbe down the right, taken on by Ollivon to make the yards before centre Gailleton would be on hand to finish easily.
A second try for France would soon follow after a period of dominance. Wales who seemed to not have touched the ball in the opening stages would be shell shocked as a moment of brilliance saw fly-half Jalibert produce a pin-point kick to the left-hand corner with to put Bordeaux-Begles teammate Bielle-Biarrey over.
Things went from bad to worse as Pau debutant Brau-Boirie finished off after a line break by Jalibert with the Welsh defence simply unable to cope with the pace, skill and power of their opposition.
It would take 18 minutes but with a rare spell of possession Wales hit back after several phases of play, Saracens prop Carre bulldozering his way over after a tap penalty from captain Lake.
The French would be mesmeric, and from a moment of magic from chief conductor Antoine Dupont, Les Bleus nearly would pick up their bonus point within half an hour. Pau winger Attissogbe collecting the scrum-half’s chip over the defence on the left-hand side to score in the corner before being adjudged for offside.
Fly-half Jalibert though would not take long to seal the visitors bonus point, benefiting from a remarkable howler by lock Adam Beard, who’s fluffed clearance kick would be pounced upon with glee to race over.
There would be no relent from the French as they would carry on as they left off after the break. Early pressure seeing hooker Marchant celebrating his 50th cap driving the maul over after a successful return from the lineout.
As poor as the Welsh would be as a defensive unit, the French would be brilliant with ball in hand as try number six would follow. Speedster Bielle-Biarrey at the fore again, bursting down the left wing on the counter-attack from a kick before simply finding Attissogbe inside for his turn to add to a growing list of names on the scoresheet.
One-way traffic continued with France kicking a penalty to the corner. The drive would be temporarily stopped but Jalibert’s cross-kick to the right for Attissogbe would be gathered with the wing dotting down for his second of the game.
As the hour ticked over the French half century would follow, replacement scrum-half Serin running back the restart with lock Olivion hammering his way over through a tired Welsh defense.
Wales battled hard and would be rewarded with a late Grady score in the dying moments, but it would end up being another chastising day for Welsh Rugby.
Defending champions France now remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament and will host Italy in Paris next Sunday.
Wales, who are staring at a third successive Wooden Spoon, have a six-day turnaround when they host a rejuvenated Scotland who beat England 31-20 on Saturday.
Wales XV:
15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards,
9 Tomos Williams, 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 3 Thomas Francis, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard,
6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Alex Mann, 8 Ollie Cracknell.
Replacements:
16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Mason Grady.
France XV:
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Théo Attissogbe, 13 Émilien Gailleton, 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey,
10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri,
4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 6 François Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch.
Replacements:
16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne,19 Thibaud Flament, 20 Emmanuel Meafou,
21 Lenni Nouchi, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Noah Nene.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
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