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Alun Wyn Jones’ record night in Paris ended with a fourth consecutive loss for Wales, as his team paid the price for poor defensive display.
The captain equaled Richie McCaw’s record of 148 caps at an empty Stade de France, but received a nasty low shot in the first half from Bernard Le Roux that went unpunished. With a total of 15 on the field, France scored three attempts in the first half, with two from Antoine Dupont, man of the match, and one from Cyril Baille. Romain Ntamack added three conversions.
Leigh Halfpenny had given Wales a try in the first minute, but his team’s defense was porous as it was at the Six Nations earlier in the year and it proved costly. Ntamack’s boot and attempts by Charles Ollivon and Teddy Thomas ensured France’s victory in the second half and, despite late consolation from Nicky Smith, Wales was defeated.
Wales were ahead with just 58 seconds left. Gregory Alldritt released Biggar’s kickoff and the ball went into touch. From the lineout, Justin Tipuric and Dan Biggar sent Halfpenny to the corner with less than a minute played. Biggar converted and added a penalty before avoiding an injury scare when he chased after a kick to touch and stopped. France had started badly, but they soon woke up.
Ntamack pushed his way through a gap and found support from Dupont, the middle runner. Josh Adams stopped Les Bleus before they reached the line, but a quick hit saw Baille’s support dig in. Ntamack converted with Biggar responding with three points.
Biggar clearly seemed far from 100%, but he kept going. The fly-half from Wales is the main competitor, but he was not helped by the lineout of his team that was not shooting at full speed.
France produced two more impressive attempts before the break, but they were helped by the poor Welsh defense. First, Ntamack and Virimi Vakatawa led the charge by sending Thomas flying by the wing. Dupont returned to support and this time scored. Ntamack converted to put his team ahead for the first time.
There was still time before the break for Tipuric to step unnecessarily out of line leaving Vakatawa with a huge gap to contend with. Dupont was the beneficiary with a simple finish. Ntamack was converted.
Biggar took a penalty early in the second half, but Grégory Alldritt should have had a fourth French try when he dropped a babysitter with the line open.
Ntamack provided some comfort with his first three-point effort and Biggar turned down a response in favor of the corner as James Davies entered the fray down the flank.
Welsh decision making seemed wrong. On a windy night, arguably they should have kicked more and when the ball seemed to run, that’s when they put the boot on the ball.
Gareth Davies and rookie Sam Parry also entered when Biggar missed his first shot on target. Gloucester winger Louis Rees-Zammit also came in to try international rugby for the first time and Biggar came off the tee again badly. The six points lost were costly to say the least.
France put the game out of touch with an escape attempt. That man, Dupont, was back in the thick of things with Ollivon, the man to break and score. Ntamack converted and that was even though Rhys Patchell replaced Biggar later
Replacement prop Smith caught one back, but Thomas scored out of nowhere with a brilliant chip and chase and Ntamack rubbed salt on Wales’s wounds from the touchline.
Wales now have a lot to prove when they take on Scotland in their last Six Nations meeting in Llanelli.
