France kept their Grand Slam dreams alive but it proved to be a huge struggle as they narrowly overcame Wales 13-9 at the Principality Stadium on Friday.
Les Bleus now go into their final game against England with a huge chance of claiming their first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010.
Fabien Galthie’s men were given a massive fright, however, as the Welsh produced a resilient display and almost snatched the win.
The hosts simply lacked the power and quality to breach France’s impressive defence, with the visitors making several key turnovers.
In the end, Anthony Jelonch’s try and eight points from the boot of Melvyn Jaminet sealed the win.
Dan Biggar kept Wales in contention with three penalties but it wasn’t enough and Wayne Pivac’s charges fell to their third defeat of the competition.
Wales boss Pivac made four changes from the side beaten by England last time out, with fit-again Josh Navidi, fellow flanker Seb Davies, prop Gareth Thomas and centre Jonathan Davies called up.
Nick Tompkins missed out due to concussion, and there was no place in the matchday 23 for back-row prospect Taine Basham. France, meanwhile, showed a solitary switch as wing Gabin Villiere replaced Damian Penaud, who was sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19.
France were quickest out of the traps, with skipper Antoine Dupont immediately testing Wales’ defence before Jaminet kicked a third-minute penalty after Navidi drifted offside.
Wales were level two minutes later, though, as a 40-metre Biggar penalty punished French obstruction.
But France were quickly back in charge when Jelonch rounded off a flowing move to touch down after Les Bleus initially looked like they had blown the chance when Villiere ignored an unmarked Dupont alongside him.
Jaminet converted and Wales also lost scrum-half Tomos Williams, who was removed from the field by medical staff after suffering a head injury.
A second Biggar penalty narrowed the gap, then Wales saw prop Gareth Thomas go off for a head injury assessment, with Wyn Jones joining the action.
Given the level of disruption, Wales regrouped strongly, threatening through number eight Taulupe Faletau and wing Alex Cuthbert to give France plenty to think about.
Thomas rejoined the action and Wales continued pressing, being handed a strong attacking platform after Biggar launched a 60-metre touch-finder.
Wales were on top as the interval approached, and Biggar completed his penalty hat-trick, making it 10-9 at half-time and setting up an engrossing second period.
Jaminet opened the second-half scoring when he landed a short-range penalty, but Wales then drove a close-range line-out after a brilliant Biggar kick, only for hooker Ryan Elias to be held up over the line.
France were unquestionably flustered, and Wales continued to hassle them, moving into the final quarter on top in terms of territory.
At times, it was backs to the wall for Les Bleus, yet the defensive structure given to them by their former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards survived considerable scrutiny.
Pivac and his France counterpart Galthie rang the changes, but it was the home side who maintained momentum, keeping their opponents under pressure as the clock ticked down.
Wales, despite unremitting efforts, could not find a way through, and French relief was palpable as they kicked the ball out of play to set up next week’s enticing Paris spectacle.
No comments:
Post a Comment