Romain man puts on show

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

Fabien Galthie’s young guns are on course for a Grand Slam after winning in Cardiff. The last time they did so was in 2010 when they claimed their last clean sweep.

After two home wins, the reborn French proved they can put on a show outside Paris too and shrugged off the sin-binning of Gregory Alldritt and Mohamed Haouas either side of half-time in a pulsating contest.

Man-of-thematch Romain Ntamack (left) contributed an interception try and 100 per cent kicking record as Wales just fell short.

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

The Shaun Edwards factor was in evidence for France with the visitors willing to go to any – not always legal – lengths to keep their line intact for their new defensive overlord.

“We know they have a very good defence coach and they were an embodiment of that today,” said Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, whose side couldn’t capitalise on 18 points from Dan Biggar.