Wales v France LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations clash as hosts wilt under second half pressure
Wales 24-40 France: Les Bleus finally come to play with an impressive, aggressive display against Warren Gatland’s youthful team
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales succumbed to another Six Nations defeat after a blazing show in the second half saw France power their way to a 21-point victory in Cardiff.
An open first half fluctuated between the teams as both sides made repeated mistakes allowing the other to score. Wales opened the scoring with an early penalty - ably kicked by Sam Costelow - before the visitors responded with three points of their own. As both attacks proved to by clinical, the lead switched hands four times with Les Bleus taking a 17-20 lead into the break.
Warren Gatland’s team talk inspired a fine start to the second half as Joe Roberts dove over for another try but from there it was all France. The visitors spent quarter of an hour or so camped inside Wales’ 22, scoring two tries and a penalty kick to extend themselves beyond Wales’ capabilities.
A last minute try from Maxime Lucu put the icing on the cake and France ran away 45-24 winners in a much needed successful result.
Relive the action from the Six Nations below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
TRY! Wales 17-20 France, (Nolann Le Garrec, 28 minutes)
Wales are on the back foot following a scrum just ahead of their try line. France move the ball quickly down the line and drive forward taking a tackle.
The hosts are still trying to set themselves as Nolann Le Garrec picks up the ball. He nips into a gap and grounds the ball with ease. France go ahead.
TRY! Wales 17-13 France, (Tomos Williams, 25 minutes)
Owen Watkin throws the dummy and bursts through the France line as Thomas Ramos is too weak with an attempted tackle. Watkin draws in the full back before slipping the ball across to Tomos Williams who sprints for the line.
Sam Costelow converts, Wales are back in front.
TRY! Wales 10-13 France, (Gael Fickou, 22 minutes)
A superb combination of power and finesse from France draw in Wales’ two centres before sweeping the ball across to Gael Fickou on the right wing.
He steps inside and lunges for the line to score France’s first try.
Wales 10-6 France, 18 minutes
Wales steal a lineout to the applause of the onlooking fans. They spread the ball down the line but France’s defensive is brilliant and they turn the ball over immediately.
It’s been a strange and almost manic start to this match with neither team having settled yet.
PENALTY! Wales 10-6 France (Thomas Ramos penalty, 15 minutes)
France decide to kick from the penalty and Ramos is bang on the money once again. The deficit is down to four now.
Wales 10-3 France, 13 minutes
Sam Costelow converted the kick after the try and extended Wales’ lead to seven points. The travelling France fans are a little shocked by this start, it’s another case of their side not living up to their potential.
Following a knock on turnover, France power over Wales in the scrum, they stand up the front line and earn themselves a penalty in a good area of the pitch.
That’s an error from Wales.
TRY! Wales 10-3 France (Rio Dyer, 9 minutes)
Shocking from France.
As Wales sweep forward the ball is offloaded poorly. It bounces and bobbles before being scooped up by Rio Dyer and kept alive.
He dips a shoulder and nips around the closest defender with no other French players attempting to stop him. Breezing into space, Dyer leaps over the line and sends Wales back in front.
Wales 3-3 France, 9 mins
The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Principality Stadium: "That's a worrying start for Wales defensively, struggling to combat the might of the French ball carriers and unable to consistently get hands on breakdown ball to slow the visitors' flow.
“France, conversely, will be encouraged by their continuity after that early missed connection between Nolann Le Garrec and Thomas Ramos that led to Sam Costelow's penalty."
PENALTY! Wales 3-3 France (Thomas Ramos penalty, 7 minutes)
Just like Costelow, Thomas Ramos sinks his kick right down the middle and the match is all square once again.
Wales 3-0 France, 6 mins
Close! France notch up the phases and threaten on a couple of occassion to break through the Wales line. Nicolas Depoortere shimmies into space but gets dragged down as he spies a gap.
The ball is work across to Gael Fickou on the left but he can’t weave into space either. Some smart, short passes force Wales to react and eventually they give up a penalty of their own.
France will kick for goal.
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