How they rated
LIAM WILLIAMS
Made more metres than anyone in the opening half and came up with a couple of sensational moments in the air. There was also a try-saving tackle on Charles Ollivon. But a yellow card seven minutes from time left Wales under the cosh.
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT
Almost came up with a genius finish and regularly troubled the French with his speed. There were a few missed tackles and Vakatawa gave him something to think about with a shuddering hit that almost hit him into next year, but Rees-Zammit has had an excellent championship and kept his standards high here.
GEORGE NORTH
Acted as a target for his pack with strong running that regularly took him over the gain-line. Also marked Vakatawa well for much of the time. Couldn’t come up with a winning card, though.
JONATHAN DAVIES
Rolled back the years with a couple of strong first-quarter breaks, showed excellent ball retention and helped entangle a dangerous French midfield.
JOSH ADAMS
Almost held up over the line for the second week running, but this time he managed to ground the ball. Adams chased hard, made some ground with ball in hand and battled well for his side.
DAN BIGGAR
Hit a lovely angle when rocketing over for the first try and controlled matters throughout the opening half. It was a questionable decision to take him off as the game came to the boil.
GARETH DAVIES
Microscopically denied early try, but flicked out 74 passes in 49 minutes before the break. While some of his kicks were contestable, he missed five tackles.
STAR MAN: ALUN WYN JONES
The captain deserved better. Much, much better. Twenty-two tackles without a single miss and 11 carries added up to a colossal performance.
There is no bigger heart.
REPLACEMENTS
Dee for Owens (68), Smith for W Jones (77), Brown for Francis (68), Hill for Beard (57), Botham for Navidi (77), T Williams for G Davies (49), Sheedy for Biggar (68), Halaholo for J Davies (68).
FRANCE
Dulin; Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Penaud; Jalibert, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Taofifenua, Willemse, Cretin, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt. Replacements: Chat for Marchand (69), Gros for Baille (59), Atonio for Alldrit (60-70), Rebbadj for Taofifenua (22), Jelonch for Cretin (51), Serin, Ntamack for Jalibert (30), Vincent for Thomas (57), Serin for Dupont (74).
REFEREE
Luke Pearce (England).
7 7 7 7 7 8 6 WYN JONES
Up against an opponent who answers to the nickname of Le Enforcer, and there was one alarming scrum for Wales midway through the opening half. But Jones worked tirelessly.
KEN OWENS
The stalwart hooker put his body on the time and again with thumping tackling and purposeful carrying. Also came up with a 100 percent line-out.
TOMAS FRANCIS
Grafted impressively in defence,
7 making 14 tackles, and largely solid in the scrums. He’s been unsung in the championship.
ADAM BEARD
Restored to the starting line-up and helped propel Josh Navidi over the French try-line. Made a good contribution in defence, too, until Brice
Dulin ran clear of him deep in French territory. Put in one lovely 10-metre pass.
JOSH NAVIDI
Navidi’s wrestler dad would have been signed off one of his son’s early
8 clear-outs. Minutes later, junior was burrowing over to claim Wales’ second try. He also put in a number of key defensive interventions.
JUSTIN TIPURIC
Master craftsman helped kill a number of French attacks with his
8 awareness in defence and showed his skill with deft kick through that created try for
Josh Adams. He was still there in the dying seconds, doing all he could to resist the French.
But it wasn’t to be.
TAULUPE FALETAU 7
8
7
Wales’ ball-carrying spearhead as he regularly made inroads on the charge. He had been having a strong game until blotting his copybook with a
7 yellow card as France piled on the pressure. When he left the field the warning signs were flashing for Wales.