George North seals Welsh comeback against France in thrilling Six Nations opener
Re-live all the action from the Six Nations opener in Paris
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Your support makes all the difference.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:
Some fascinating individual battles on the pitch this evening. Hadleigh Parkes will seriously test Romain Ntamack's solidity in defence, while Jefferson Poirot and Tomas Francis' battles when packing down at scrum-time will be well worth watching.
Guilhem Guirado will be glad to escape a disharmonious Toulon squad, but Ken Owens presents a considerable test. Both will get through plenty of work around the park and, as ever on occasions like these, their lineout throwing will be under the microscope on a pretty dour evening weather-wise in Paris.
Ten minutes until kick-off.
It was two years ago that the two sides contested this fixture over 100 minutes in a game that refused to end. Wayne Barnes was the man in the middle on that occasion as France controversially stole it right at the death, and the Englishman again has whistle in hand this evening, starting what will be his final Six Nations.
He may have another niggly affair to contend with this evening. Plenty of combative individuals in both lineups.
Smoke, fire and waving Tricolors greet the players as they trot out into position.
It's anthem time...
"Land of My Fathers" to begin the pre-match proceedings. The Welsh players are in fine voice, and though the weather has caused travel havoc for travelling fans there are a smattering of red dragons around the Stade de France.
Paul Willemse shows his allegiance to his new nation, joining in for a typically hearty rendition of "La Marseillaise."
The anthems are over. It's time for rugby.
Gareth Anscombe has ball in hand. Wales to kick-off.
Wayne Barnes whistles, and the 2019 Six Nations has begun.
1 minute
The kick-off is claimed by Louis Picamoles who tests the Wales defence early with a strong carry. Morgan Parra box kicks from the base of the resulting ruck, Liam Williams misjudging the flight somewhat but safely collecting on the bounce.
Tomos Williams box kicks long. France in possession around the halfway line.
2 minutes
Parra again goes to the air, and Yoann Huget rises brilliantly to tap back to Arthur Iturria.
Space opens in the wider channels for Wesley Fofana but the centre fails to combine with club teammate Damian Penaud, allowing Wales to gather.
But they don't have enough numbers in the ruck and France have a penalty, which is pumped to the 22. France lineout.
3 minutes
France indicate a maul but Louis Picamoles peels out and looks for Wesley Fofana on the hard line, but the inside centre has overrun and drops a forward-looking pass.
First scrum.
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