Unbeaten France end Wales title defense in thriller

Scotland posts first win and tries in beating Italy 17-0

CARDIFF, Wales, Feb 23, (AP): France stayed unbeaten in the Six Nations and ended Wales’ title defense after winning a thrilling contest 27-23 at Principality Stadium.

France’s tyros – most of the team are playing their first Six Nations – showed poise in the biggest moments against the most experienced side ever fielded in the championship. Wales put out 859 caps worth of talent. France had 234.

But the fearless, uninhibited attitude of this revamped French side earned them a first win in Cardiff in 10 years while playing a man short for 20 minutes.

Halfway through the Six Nations, which they also haven’t won in 10 years, the French could be playing for the title on the last weekend in Paris against Ireland, which is also unbeaten. France goes to Scotland next in two weeks.

France scored three tries to two, but its defense – masterminded by former Wales defense coach Shaun Edwards – was even more incredible.

As the first half was heading into injury time, France led 17-9 with No. 8 Gregory Alldritt in the sinbin for a professional foul. Wales had a trio of five-meter scrums but France, with wing Gael Fickou at the back of it, held. The defense on the line and rush behind the scrum also repelled everything Wales threw at it, to the point Wales cracked with a knock on.

Another big moment came in the 52nd minute. Wales had just scored to trail 17-16, and had a three-onone. But France flyhalf Romain Ntamack stood his ground and read

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Dominik Simon (12) is defended by Buffalo Sabres’ Curtis Lazar (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh

on Feb 22. (AP)