HEARTBREAK!
Grand Slam slips from Wales’ grasp in final play of the game
WALES were cruelly denied the Grand Slam in an dramatic finish as Brice Dulin’s injury-time try with the final play snatched it from their grasp.
They can still win the Six Nations but after a seven-try classic in the Stade de France, the title will now be decided in Paris on Friday when the hosts take on Scotland in their rearranged clash.
Wales were left rueing late yellow cards to Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams which left them shorthanded as 14-man France – who had Paul Willemse sent off – laid late siege to their line.
It was a chaotic, brilliant, heart-breaking conclusion to an incredible game.
Half time had arrived with the sides level at 17-17 after a breathless opening period. That was the least Wales deserved after dominating possession and territory.
Any thought the scale of the occasion would inhibit Wales was blown away. They looked the more assured of the two sides and made yards almost at will, using Louis ReesZammit off his wing in midfield to good effect.
There was no panic after leaking an early try to the giant Romain Taofifenua. Wales went straight back up the other end and after Gareth Davies was held up over the line, Dan Biggar took a great angle to burst through for Wales’s opening score in the 12th minute.
The ding-dong continued with Antoine Dupont touching down after Dulin’s chip over the Wales defence which was shipped onto the superstar scrumhalf by Matthieu Jalibert.
But back came Wales through the outstanding
Josh Navidi who fought his way over in the 18th minute after a 14-phase siege. Biggar’s penalty gave them the lead but Romain Ntamack – on as a replacement for the concussed Jalibert – replied in kind to even things up.
Wales’ relentless keep-ball yielded another penalty from Biggar five minutes after the break and with the visitors dominating the aerial skirmishes France were struggling to find a foothold. Coach Wayne Pivac brought Tomos Williams off the bench in the 49th minute and the scrum-half, who had been absent since tearing a hamstring against Ireland, made an instant impact.
Justin Tipuric’s chip through was dribbled on by Josh Adams and picked up off the floor by Williams who fed it back to the left wing and after an interminable delay the try for Adams was awarded.
It was a contentious call with French flanker Dylan Cretin appearing to have his hand under the ball as it was grounded but with referee Luke Pearce convinced it was a try on the field, TMO Wayne Barnes felt unable to overturn his call.
Biggar’s conversion gave Wales a ten-point cushion to take into the last half hour Ntamack drilled over a penalty to trim the Wales lead then Rees-Zammit was inches away from a superb one-handed finish.
But France had transgressed in the build-up and as Biggar kicked the penalty Mohamed Haouas was sent to the sin-bin.
Short-handed, France roused themselves and crossed in the 68th minute through Dulin – only for it be chalked off for a dangerous clearout by Willemse which saw the France second row make contact with Wyn Jones’ eye and get sent off.
Pivac’s men lost Faletau and Liam Williams in the closing stages and with three minutes left Charles Ollivon barrelled his way over for a converted try which cut the lead to just three.
And then Dulin delivered the killer blow to break Welsh hearts.
Tries: Taofifenua, Dupont, Ollivon, Dulin. Pens: Ntamack (2). Cons: Jalibert (2), Ntamack.
Tries: Biggar, Navidi, Adams. Pens: Biggar (3). Cons: Biggar (3).