How they rated
LIAM WILLIAMS
Loose kick in build-up to opening French try, turned over a couple of times later on and will not forget being smashed by the 20st Paul Willemse. On the plus side, Williams made ground with ball in hand and did superbly to take a high ball in the third quarter.
ALEX CUTHBERT
Not easy to back up the Hollywood stuff at Twickenham, but Cuthbert had a couple of strong runs down the wing. While there was a missed tackle, he gave it his best shot and battled to the very end.
OWEN WATKIN
One emphatic hit on Fickou but France marshalled Wales well in midfield and Watkin had few chances to impress going forward. A spark was needed which never really came.
JONATHAN DAVIES
The look on Davies’ face after he failed to make the most of a potentially try–scoring pass from Taulupe Faletau said it all. It was a chance he needed to take. The Test Lion had previously made a couple of solid runs and proved alert in defence. He’ll be having nightmares about that one moment, though.
A try scorer against England, but not one attacking chance before the break and not called upon to make a tackle, either. More involved in the second period without ever truly threatening.
DAN BIGGAR
Cap number 99 for Biggar, but nothing flaky about his performance. Largely kicked beautifully out of hand, with one 50:22 showing outstanding awareness and execution. Biggar also hauled down Danty with a text-book tackle. A captain’s display.
TOMOS WILLIAMS
Pitting his wits against the best player in the world in Antoine Dupont, he lasted barely 10 minutes before succumbing to injury. A couple of good tackles in that time.
GARETH THOMAS
His ‘reward’ for a big display off the bench against England was an evening opposing Uini Atonio. Thomas grew into the game, scrummaging solidly and carrying, with one tackle on Dupont a highlight.
RYAN ELIAS
Good carrying, sound defence and a hundred percent lineout, which is never to be sniffed at. A gutsy, battling performance, then.
TOMAS FRANCIS
A solid Test which saw him anchor the Welsh scrum, do a bit of tackling and even venture forward with ball in hand. He’s an important player for Wales.
WILL ROWLANDS
His emergence as a Test player of calibre has been one of the major pluses of the campaign for Wales. Gave Wales go-forward with ball in hand. An excellent Test.
ADAM BEARD
Wales’ vice-captain oversaw a vastly improved lineout and slammed the door shut in defence. Led the Welsh pack well.
SEB DAVIES
Operating at blindside, he helped improve Wales’ lineout and also put in some important hits, playing a part in blunting France’s attacking edge. Left proceedings on 62 minutes.
JOSH NAVIDI
The challenge was to hit the ground running after just one previous outing in five months.
It wasn’t an easy gig and Navidi uncharacteristically missed a few tackles, but he also played with real grit, slowing down French ball, making ground and nailing big French forwards.
TAULUPE FALETAU
The No. 8 was faultless during the opening half, chasing, covering, tackling and carrying.
He did concede a neck-roll penalty in the second half and was turned over. But he’s so important for Wales.
Jaminet, Moefana, Fickou, Danty, Villiere, Ntamack, Dupont, Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt. Reps: Mauvaka, Gros, Haouas, Lebel, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos.