BY MARK ORDERS How they rated
He had gone 14 Tests without a try but took just 59 seconds to cross here. Then achieved a turnover. Ran into his fair share of brick walls but didn’t let head drop before coming off just past the hour.
Didn’t receive a pass until the 56th minute. North did achieve a turnover seconds after dropping a high ball and he did put in a strong run and a close-quarters carry ahead of Nicky Smith’s try. Also tracked back well to save day at end. But, couldn’t get into the game enough. ?Marked his return to Test rugby with a big carry in the build-up to Halfpenny’s early try. But his opposite number Vakatawa then proceeded to dish out a midfield masterclass.?
JOSH ADAMS
Came up with a try-saving tackle on Dupont, even if France scored shortly after. Not perfect under the high ball and beaten by magical Vakatawa offload for second Dupont try. But did pick up in final quarter.
RHYS CARRE
Left for dead by Ntamack in build-up to first French try. On the plus side, he did try to lift his defensive game and, as the game wore on, he put in a couple of carries.
RYAN ELIAS
Effort wasn’t a problem from the Scarlet early on; accuracy was as two throws went awry. Elias was also turned over. On the plus side, he put his hand up for carrying and was clean in defence.
Solid enough in the scrums but couldn’t make much of an impression elsewhere before leaving the field with an injury on 33 minutes.
ALUN WYN JONES
The record man, joining Richie McCaw at the head of Test rugby’s appearance chart. He was there at the end, trying to lift his side. But victory eluded Jones on his big night.
JUSTIN TIPURIC
Within five minutes he’d achieved a ruck turnover and set up a try with a miss pass. Gamble to dash out of line didn’t pay off when France scored their third try, but Tipuric made 17 tackles, more than any other Wales player, and was never far from the ball.
Bouthier, Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Rattez, Ntamack Dupont, Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros Ollivon, Alldritt. Reps: Ramos for Bouthier (41) Vincent for Vakatawa (74), Serin for Dupont (70) Gros for Baille (57), Chat for Marchand (57) Bamba for Haouas (57), Taofifenua for Willemse (57) Cretin for Alldritt (74).