FEELING BLUE
FRANCE 38 WALES 21 FRENCH DELIVER 5-STAR PERFORMANCE:
WALES’ autumn campaign got off to a disappointing start as old defensive issues reared their ugly head in a defeat to France. Leigh Halfpenny’s second-minute score had given Wayne Pivac’s side the perfect start after so long out, but Cyril Baille’s try and a brace from Antoine Dupont put the game in the control of France at the break.
The second-half saw further scores from Charles Ollivon and Teddy Thomas - either side of a Nicky Smith try for the visitors - take the match away from Wales and secure a French victory.
Wales came out of the blocks flying, with a lovely pass from Justin
Tipuric putting Dan Biggar in space to put Halfpenny over within 76 seconds of the kick-off.
Pivac’s men cemented their quick start as Biggar extended the lead with a penalty after seven minutes.
While the Wales defence had looked solid early on, they were punished for a defensive lapses as Romain Ntamack broke through a gap left by Rhys Webb.
While France didn’t finish off the move immediately, they did eventually get over with prop Baille forcing his way over from close-range.
Another Biggar penalty four minutes later extended the lead, but more defensive errors would turn the scoreline around as the first-half reached its climax.
Just past the half-hour mark, France broke down the Welsh defence out wide to put Dupont over for a brilliant try.
And just minutes later, a rough blitz from Justin Tipuric saw France break the visitor’s line again - with Dupont again on hand to finish the move.
Wales started the scoring in the second-half, as Biggar punished more poor French discipline from the tee on 44 minutes.
A few minutes later, Ntamack restored the gap with a penalty of his own after Jonathan Davies failed to roll away.
Wales had a couple of opportunities to close the deficit as they enjoyed more territory in the secondhalf, but Biggar pulled a couple of penalty attempts wide.
Those missed penalties proved crucial as the magic of Dupont conjured up a fourth French try from nothing - with his break being finished by Ollivon.
Wales hit back immediately, with Nicky Smith forcing his way over from close range.
Not even the debut of Louis ReesZammit could brighten Welsh spirits late on - with the young winger getting on for the final 20 minutes.
And any comeback was quickly extinguished though as Thomas scored a fine individual try with five minutes remaining.