France condemns Wales to fourth consecutive defeat

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Wales suffered a fourth consecutive international defeat to head coach Wayne Pivac when they were defeated 38-21 by France in Paris on Saturday.

The Welsh failed to take advantage of a good start that saw them gain 10 unanswered points through winger Leigh Halfpenny’s try and a conversion and penalty from fly half Dan Biggar.

In preparation for next weekend’s belated Six Nations meeting with Scotland, Wales’ first game since early March started impressively, but France responded with three successful attempts at half-time.

Scrum half Antoine Dupont scored two of them, and prop Cyril Baille crossed too, with three conversions from Romain Ntamack giving France control they never gave up.

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Captain Charles Ollivon and wing Teddy Thomas added second-half touchdowns, both converted by Ntamack, who also took a penalty, and Wales added a try by backup prop Nicky Smith and two more Biggar penalties, but also missed three shots.

Wales’ reversal followed losses to Ireland, France and England in the Six Nations earlier this year, while Les Bleus could also reflect on their biggest win in the match since 2011.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones equaled Richie McCaw’s mark of 148 test matches as both countries won competitive training before playing rescheduled Six Nations matches next weekend.

Fit center Jonathan Davies returned for his first test outing since last year’s World Cup, with Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit among Wales’s replacements, while France lined up 14 of his lineup that defeated Wales in Cardiff eight months ago.

Wales got off to a dream start, taking the lead after just 58 seconds when they capitalized on Les Bleus number eight Gregory Alldritt, who dropped the kickoff.

He gave the visitors an immediate attack platform, and wing Justin Tipuric’s precise pass found Biggar, who sent an unmarked halfpenny.

Biggar’s successful conversion meant Wales were up and running fast, and they had no intention of applying the brakes as a Biggar penalty made it 10-0 in eight minutes.

Biggar then gave Wales an injury scare when he fell unanswered, clutching his right shin, and France responded on the scoreboard with a short-range touchdown from Baille that Ntamack converted.

It was a reminder to Wales of France’s attacking danger, but they regrouped quickly, and a second Biggar penalty gave the visitors a six-point lead after a strong opening quarter.

Biggar continued to look distinctly uncomfortable, but stuck around after further treatment while Wales maintained control until a little French sparkle undid them.

Center Virimi Vakatawa showed his class through an impressive volley that found Teddy Thomas, and his inside ball allowed Dupont a clear punt, with Ntamack converting 14-13.

Welsh mainstay Samson Lee left seven minutes before halftime, being replaced by Cardiff Blues tighthead Dillon Lewis, and the French try continued as Vakatawa again provided an assist and Dupont crossed for his second touchdown in four minutes. .

Ntamack completed a hat-trick of conversions, and Wales needed to regroup as the interval approached, but they could not cut the deficit and Les Bleus enjoyed an eight-point interval lead.

Wales scored first after the break when Biggar completed his penalty hat-trick, only for France to miss a huge opportunity when Alldritt spilled possession with the line at their mercy.

Biggar missed his first kick of the night approaching the hour mark, and Pivac had already started to use his bench, handing Test debuts to Rees-Zammit and Ospreys hooker Sam Parry.

Another whimsical penalty attempt by Biggar allowed France another disappointment, and Les Bleus reaped the maximum benefit when finer work from Dupont sent captain Ollivon to score, with Ntamack again converting.

Wales could easily have gone down and lost, however they responded just two minutes later when Smith stepped forward to keep the game alive.

However, Biggar’s third consecutive missed kick didn’t help his cause, and Thomas’ excellent solo score completed a frustrating night for the visitors.



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