Musketeers of France sweep all before them

Wales 23 France 27

FOR years, Six Nations lovers have wondered where the real France were and bemoaned their underperformance. Be careful what you wish for.

Fabien Galthie’s young musketeers are on course for a Grand Slam after winning in Cardiff.

The last time they did so was in 2010 when they went on to claim their last clean sweep.

After two home wins, the reborn French proved they can put on a show outside Paris too after shrugging off the sinbinning of Gregory Alldritt and Mohamed Haouas either side of half-time to maintain their unbeaten record in a pulsating contest.

Man of the match Romain Ntamack’s second-half interception try and 100 per cent kicking record proved crucial as Wales just fell short.

“The interception try was a 50-50 call. I went for it,” said Ntamack, whose father Emile scored in the first championship game to be played at the Principality Stadium.

“It is an amazing feeling. We have no experience, but we play with a smile and it was nice to win. We aren’t thinking about the Grand Slam – we’re just taking one game at a time.”

The Shaun Edwards factor was well and truly in evidence for France with the visitors willing to go to any lengths to keep their line intact for their new defensive overlord.

It was not always legal – Wales thought they should have been awarded a penalty try when Paul Willemse knocked down Ken

Owens’ pass with Josh Adams unmarked outside and again when France’s retreating scrum collapsed – but France did what they had to do without the ball.

“We know they have a very good defence coach and they were an embodiment of that,” said Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.

The determined French managed to withstand a Wales siege just before half-time to take a 17-9 lead into the break.

Wales finally broke France in the 48th minute through an unlikely source. Tight-head prop Dillon Lewis clattered his way over for his first try in 24 Tests with a little dummy thrown in for good measure only for Ntamack to pick off Nick Tompkins’ pass to race clear and re-establish France’s lead.

The lion-hearted Dan Biggar, never beaten, hauled Wales back into it with a try with five minutes left.

But France deserved their victory having outscored Wales three tries to two.

Tries: Lewis, Biggar. Cons: Biggar 2. Pens: Biggar 3.

Tries: Bouthier, Willemse, Ntamack. Cons: Ntamack 3. Pens: Ntamack 2.