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As it happenedended

George North seals Welsh comeback against France in thrilling Six Nations opener

Re-live all the action from the Six Nations opener in Paris

Harry Latham-Coyle,Bradley West
Friday 01 February 2019 14:04 EST
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Six Nations preview: Wales in profile

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Wales staged a remarkable second-half comeback to stun France 24-19 on a memorable opening Six Nations night in Paris.

Warren Gatland's team trailed 16-0 at the interval, but they responded magnificently to claim a 10th successive win and equal their longest unbeaten run since 1999.

Tries by scrum-half Tomos Williams and wing George North, who capitalised on opposite number Yoann Huget's defensive howler, plus two Gareth Anscombe conversions and a Dan Biggar penalty edged Wales ahead following a 15-minute purple patch.

And after France went back in front through a Camille Lopez penalty, North claimed his second try - a stunning 60-metre interception effort that Biggar converted - to give Wales a seventh victory from the last eight starts against France.

Re-live the action below:


France 19-24 Wales, 76 minutes

And the mistake comes.

France are forced into something far too intricate and Romain Ntamack's inside ball for Gael Fickou is a couple of feet forward.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:43

Owen Watkin for Haleigh Parkes at inside centre for Wales, who will set a scrum on their own ten-metre line.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:43

France 19-24 Wales, 77 minutes

France penalty! Offside from a Gareth Davies knock on.

Camille Lopez goes quickly but Wayne Barnes isn't happy and calls the French horde surging for the line back.

Lopez goes for the corner but doesn't quite find it. Lineout about ten metres from the Welsh line as Aaron Wainwright replaces Josh Navidi for Wales.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:45

​France 19-24 Wales, 78 minutes

Wales disrupt the lineout through a superb jump from Justin Tipuric and force France to scramble back on the ball.

Carries from Demba Bamba and Arthur Iturria find no change.

A firm collision in the centre of the pitch forces a spillage. Wales have a scrum.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:47

France 19-24 Wales, 79 minutes

France have the nudge on, but the penalty goes against them!

Deliberate wheeling the call. Dany Priso stepped out and then pushed on the angle to gain the ascendancy.

A little bit of niggle but it doesn't boil over.

A minute for Wales to survive and they will have the lineout near halfway.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:48

France 19-24 Wales

Into the last 20 seconds.

Wales lose the lineout! Gregory Alldritt and Demba Bamba carry well.

Into the red...

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:49

A big handoff from Romain Ntamack but Justin Tipuric just about holds on.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:49

France use the width well. Gael Fickou makes 20 metres into Welsh territory.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:50

France fumble. Julien Marchand loses possession as a Camille Lopez inside ball inadvertently finds the replacement hooker.

That'll be that.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:50

GARETH DAVIES BOOTS THE BALL FROM THE STADE DE FRANCE PITCH AND WALES COME BACK FROM 16 POINTS DOWN TO TRIUMPH!

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2019 21:51

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