Flat out: Full-back Leigh Halfpenny races in to score but it was not enough to prevent Wales falling to a 38-21 defeat to France in Paris
WALES returned to international rugby with a fourth straight defeat in what was a disappointing performance from Wayne Pivac’s side.
On a record-equalling evening for Alun Wyn Jones, the Wales captain took a nasty cheap shot from France lock Bernard Le Roux which went unpunished and his night ended in defeat.
With a full 15 on the field, France scored three firsthalf tries with two from star man Antoine Dupont after Cyril Baille had grabbed their first. Romain Ntamack added three conversions.
Leigh Halfpenny had given Wales a first minute try, but his team’s defence was porous as it was in the Six Nations at the start of the year and it proved their undoing.
Dan Biggar left his kicking boots in the changing room for the second half and a try from French captain Charles Ollivon settled the contest. There was still time for a Nicky Smith consolation and for Teddy Thomas to complete the scoring with Ntamack superb from the tee.
At an empty Stade de France both teams named strong sides for what was, essentially, a friendly and a warm-up for their final Six Nations fixtures with Ireland and Scotland respectively.
Wales captain Jones equalled Richie McCaw’s world caps record of 148 while centre Jonathan Davies returned to Welsh colours after World Cup injury.
The experienced Halfpenny, George North, Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau all started the game too against a strong French outfit led by
Ollivon. France, impressive since Fabian Galthie took charge and finally with a degree of consistency about them, had thrown away a 16-0 lead to lose the last time Wales had arrived in town.
And they started awfully again as Gregory Alldritt dropped Biggar’s kick-off and Wales went ahead with just 58 seconds on the clock.
After winning the lineout, Tipuric and Biggar sent Halfpenny over in the corner. Biggar converted and added a penalty for a dream Welsh start.
The fly-half then pulled up lame chasing a French kick to touch, but carried on after receiving some brief treatment. At 10-0 down, France hadn’t got started.
Ntamack’s searing break was stopped just short with Dupont in support, but Baille picked and went to power over from close range and Ntamack added the extras.
Biggar responded with a penalty as an entertaining opening quarter came to an end, but the fly-half was clearly struggling and it seemed madness for him to be carrying on. Still, ever the competitor, on he ploughed.
Wales hooker Ryan Elias had one wonky lineout and his team gave away a penalty at another and it wasn’t long before France produced another sublime try.
Ntamack and Virimi Vakatawa led the charge sending Thomas flying down the wing. Dupont was in support and scored.
Ntamack converted to put his team ahead for the first time and it was now too easy for the French. Wales again turned over the ball and Tipuric steamed out of the line, unnecessarily leaving Virimi Vakatawa with a huge gap to run into. Dupont was the beneficiary with a simple finish and Ntamack converted.
It left France 21-13 to the good at the break.
Biggar kicked a penalty at the start of the second half, but Alldritt should have had a fourth French try when he dropped a sitter with the line gaping.
Ntamack provided some consolation with his first three-point effort and Biggar turned down a response in favour of the corner as James Davies entered the fray on the flank.
Wales’ decision making seemed off. On a windy night, they should arguably have kicked more and when the ball looked on to run, it was then that they put boot to ball.
Gareth Davies came on, along with Sam Parry and Gloucester wing tyro Louis Rees-Zammit for their first taste of Test rugby, but Biggar missed two more shots from the tee and France put the game out of touch with a breakaway try. That man Dupont was
again at the heart of things with Ollivon breaking clear to score.
Ntamack converted and that was that.
Replacement prop Smith did grab one back, but Thomas scored out of nowhere with a brilliant chip and chase and Ntamack rubbed salt in Welsh wounds with the touchline conversion.