France deny Wales grand slam
WALES failed to secure a Grand Slam for the second time in three years when France’s Brice Dulan scored a late try to give the home side a 32-30 win.
Fullback Dulin dived over as France completed a remarkable turnaround to give Les Bleus the win and a bonus point.
Wales had the game firmly in hand but picked up two yellow cards in the finale and were left exposed to France’s late assault, which culminated in Dulin’s try after Charles Ollivon had reduced the arrears.
Wales were 30-20 up after tries by Josh Navidi, Josh Adams and Dan Biggar — who kicked the rest of the points — and France were a man down after Paul Willemse was sent off for an eye gouge, but things went pear shaped from there.
Taulupe Faletau picked up a yellow card for repeated infringements in the 72nd minute and he was followed into the sin bin by Liam Williams one minute later.
With the field wide open, Fabien Galthie’s side piled on the pressure and Ollivon powered past the whitewash with three minutes left.
Romain Ntamack converted before Dulin, on the left flank, touched down in the corner two minutes into dead time to send the French players into raptures. Romain Taofifenua picked the ball from a ruck after Gregory Alldritt had been stopped just before the line and touched down to reward France for their early domination.
Wales stretched the French defence during a long possession spell, which ended with Navidi scoring the fourth try of the game.
Adams, whose try was awarded following a lengthy TMO (Television match official) review after it appeared that he had been held up, opened a potentially decisive gap.
Les Bleus lost the plot after a Dulin try was cancelled and turned into Willemse’s red card, but Wales were even less composed, letting a promised Grand Slam slip from their hands in the dying seconds of a memorable test.