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:
Penalty! Wales 3-0 France, 3 mins
Deciding to kick for goal, fly-half Sam Costelow makes no mistakes and rattles his kick right down the middle to bring the hosts the opening points of the game.
KICK OFF! Wales 0-0 France
France get the match underway and immediately push to chase the ball high. Wales’ kick comes to Leo Barre who is harried by Tommy Reffell which wins Wales an early penalty.
Six Nations LIVE: Wales vs France
The national anthems are now played just ahead of kick off. France’s anthem La Marseillaise remains an absolute banger. It cannot fail but hype up the players especially when the travelling fans join in and make their voices heard inside the stadium.
Expectedly, the Welsh national anthem is sung louder with heart and feeling.
Six Nations LIVE: Wales vs France
Here come the players.
There are a few nervous looks on the faces of the players though most seem eagerly awaiting kick off. This should be a battling and incredible match in Cardiff.
Who will come out on top today?
Six Nations LIVE: Wales vs France
Wales legend Max Boyce is giving the packed Principality Stadium a joyous rendition of Hymns and Arias which the crowd are joining in with.
It’s a grand part of the build-up to this match with the French fans getting involved too.
Pre-match thoughts from Warren Gatland
Wales’ head coach said: “There’s been no lack of motivation.
“I can’t question the effort of these players. People are saying it’s a challenge to get them up for the next game, but it’s not a challenge at all.
“They understand the responsibility of putting on that jersey and going out. We’re desperate to get that win.”
Six Nations LIVE: Wales vs France
The fans are excited and ready for this one. Kick off in Cardiff is just 15 minutes away.
Pre-match thoughts from Fabien Galthie
France’s head coach said: “We’ll be better soon. We are going through a difficult time. We are in a period of resilience. It only increases my desire to succeed.
“Thomas Ramos is a leader. We bring him up to fly-half so that he can weigh in with his determination and his knowledge of the game.”
Can Wales lift themselves off the bottom of the table?
Can Wales can take advantage of France’s current underperforming campaign?
Warren Gatland’s team have yet to win in this season’s tournament, raising the potential scenario of a wooden-spoon decider against Italy next weekend if they do not triumph on Sunday.
It is 21 years since Wales last finished bottom of the Six Nations table, although they were fifth in three of the past four seasons.
Antoine Dupont’s Six Nations absence ‘a massive loss for France’
Warren Gatland believes that Antoine Dupont’s absence from the Guinness Six Nations has proved “a massive loss” for France. Les Bleus’ mercurial World Cup captain has joined the sevens circuit ahead of the Paris Olympics later this year.
“It just shows when you are with a team – and we have been lucky enough with this in the past and it is the challenge going forward – that having two or three X-factor players in your team can make a massive difference,” Wales head coach Gatland said.
“Sometimes you get two relatively even teams, but it is the individual brilliance of someone who can change a game. There is no doubt for me that Dupont is a massive loss for them. He is probably the best player in the world.
“We have already seen what he has done with the French sevens team. They won the sevens tournament (in Los Angeles). (Romain) Ntamack is a big loss for them in terms of that nine-10 partnership. It is difficult to put your finger on it.
“They have made some changes. They have probably thought they don’t feel like they can win the Six Nations, so there is a chance to give players in their squad an opportunity.”
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