France fluff their lines to gift the Welsh a win in forgettable finale

WALES secured runners-up spot in this year’s Six Nations Championship after edging out France by a single point at the Principality Stadium.

A Liam Williams try and three Leigh Halfpenny penalties swayed a forgettable contest Wales’ way as they completed a clean sweep of home wins in the tournament.

France suffered the same fate as Italy and Scotland before them, yet the visitors could — and probably should — have taken the spoils, given their dominance for much of the match.

Wing Gael Fickou’s try, an early Francois Trinh-Duc drop goal, plus his half-back partner Maxime Machenaud’s penalty and conversion ensured that the Welsh were stretched to the absolute limit.

But a combination of Welsh resilience and French profligacy meant the game ultimately went Wales’ way, leaving Jacques Brunel’s side still without a victory in Cardiff since 2010.

‘It was definitely an ugly win. Sometimes you will take an ugly victory over the performance,’ admitted Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

‘We turned up today and it was all about winning. The performance was not the most important thing. We started off well but there were too many turnovers and mistakes.

‘That is not a bad French team and they are only going to get better. It is a tough competition to win or finish second and we are pleased with where we are at the moment.

‘I think we have got something to build on with some of the depth we have created in the squad is pleasing.’