Fighting France defeat Wales, break Cardiff drought
France stayed unbeaten in the Six Nations and ended Wales’ title defence after winning a thrilling contest 27-23 at Principality Stadium yesterday.
France’s tyros — most of the team are playing their first Six Nations — showed poise in the biggest moments against the most experienced side ever fielded in the championship. Wales put out 859 caps worth of talent. France had 234.
But the fearless, uninhibited attitude of this revamped French side earned them a first win in Cardiff in 10 years while playing a man short for 20 minutes.
Halfway through the Six Nations, which they also haven’t won in 10 years, the French could be playing for the title on the last weekend in Paris against Ireland, who are also unbeaten. France go to Scotland next in two weeks.
France scored three tries to two, but their defence — masterminded by former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards — was even more incredible.
As the first half was heading into injury time, France led 17-9 with No 8 Gregory Alldritt in the sin-bin for a professional foul. Wales had a trio of 5m scrums but France, with wing Gael Fickou at the back, held. The defence on the line and rush behind the scrum also repelled everything Wales threw at them, to the point Wales cracked with a knock on.
Another big moment came in the 52nd minute. Wales had just scored to trail 17-16, and had a three-on-one. But France first five-eighth Romain Ntamack stood his ground and read Nick Tompkins’ pass to pull off a 55-metre interception. Instead of losing the lead, France extended it to 24-16.
France lock Paul Willemse pulled off his own big defensive moment. Wales had another overlap metres out from the French tryline but Willemse knocked the ball down while tackling hooker Ken Owens.
Moments later, France tighthead prop Mohamed Haouas was yellowcarded for illegal scrummaging in front of his tryline. Demba Bamba was sent on and Fickou moved into No 8, and they destroyed the Wales scrum to earn a relieving penalty.
Finally, first five-eighth Dan Biggar scored a converted try to put Wales within four points of France with five minutes to go. In the dying seconds, Tompkins speared up the middle to the French 22, the sell-out crowd was on its feet, but France replacement hooker Camille Chat tied up the ruck ball to win the penalty and clinch the match.
Wales lost a championship match at home for the first time in more than three years.
● Scotland recorded their first victory and first tries in this Six Nations, beating Italy 17-0 in sunny Rome.
Meanwhile, Italy failed to score for the second time this month, and its record losing streak in the championship grew to 25 tests.
Scotland’s first try was worth waiting for; a solo 50m counterattack by captain and fullback Stuart Hogg, who exorcised some demons after he made pivotal mistakes in the opening losses to Ireland and England.
After halftime, fellow backs Chris Harris and Adam Hastings also dotted down. Hastings converted his own try, his only successful kick from four attempts.
The Scots also missed at least three other try chances as they ended a sixmatch winless run in the championship and lifted some pressure on coach Gregor Townsend, who was retained after a dismal Rugby World Cup campaign last year.