How Wales rated

There was a Penny Black moment to start, when Halfpenny came up with a costly spillage of a high ball, something you don’t see very often, with Anthony Bouthier profiting to claim the touch down. The Scarlet did his best to atone without looking at his very best. suggestion that the French cheat at the pushing and shoving game.

But it was Jones who was the first to incur the referee’s wrath at a set-piece. On the plus side, he put his hand up for carrying and didn’t shirk in defence.

Felt the full force of a hit from Vakatawa that could probably have rattled those in Row 26 of the top-tier stands. Owens stayed on the defensive front line and took down a number of big French ball-carriers.

Solid rather than spectacular.

There were no dramas at the scrum before the break, but Lewis missed a couple of tackles. In his 25th Test he bagged his first try for Wales early in the second half, throwing out a dummy and making his way over from short range. But he gave a couple of penalties that cost Wales points. A mixed bag, then.

There was a lot of perspiration used up by Ball, who impressed with his appetite for defence. He did concede an early penalty, but effort was never a problem.

One turnover and some important tackles. Was clearly unimpressed with the decision just to award a knock-on after Paul Williemse stopped a potentially scoring pass from Ken Owens from reaching Josh Adams. And he was penalised at a maul late on.

Starting a Test at blindside flanker for the first time in almost four years, Moriarty tried to dent the French defence but time and again had the door slammed shut. But he stuck at it, smashing into contact, acting as a key line-out target and tackling hard. Rounded off a strong effort with a thunderous run down the wing at the end. Very good.

The ultra-reliable tackler had another clean game in defence and did his best as a support player. There was some direct carrying, too, but, on this occasion, nothing game-changing.

The Bath man needed a strong show to silence the odd doubter and he was error-free in the opening half, a turnover followed by a number of purposeful ball carries and rock-solid defence. Encouraging signs, then, but he was subbed with 16 minutes left to play.

Jarrod Evans looked quite lively and Rob Evans threatened to make a difference at loosehead, while Johnny McNicholl flickers in attack but looks vulnerable in defence.