Thomas Ramos kicked 20 factors to increase France’s Six Nations win streak over winless Wales to 5 with a gripping bonus-point victory in Cardiff on Sunday.
5 tries from Gael Fickou, man-of-the-match Nolann Le Garrec, George-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua and Maxime Lucu ensured the French a second victory within the event and third place within the desk.
The outcome consigned Wales, who scored three tries by Rio Dyer, Tomos Williams and Joe Roberts, to a thirteenth defeat of their final 15 Six Nations matches.
It additionally units up Wales for a wood spoon decider in opposition to Italy subsequent week, with the Welsh observing 5 defeats within the Six Nations for first time since 2003.
Wales couldn’t have requested for a greater begin to what turned out to be a helter-skelter first 40 minutes, France penalised as Tommy Reffell went for the turnover and Sam Costelow making no mistake for the opening three factors after simply 90 seconds.
France got here firing again, Le Garrec and Ramos, enjoying at 10 somewhat than his standard fullback place, utilising the uncooked energy of Uini Atonio and Emmanuel Meafou to devastating impact.
Wales strayed offside and Ramos drew the scores stage from in entrance of the posts.
Then out of nothing, Dyer sliced by the French defence for an opportunistic strive, transformed by Costelow.
Ramos booted a second penalty for the guests after the Welsh scrum popped up earlier than Fickou simply rode a Costelow deal with to complete off some slick recycled ball for a strive within the nook at hand France the lead.
Ramos transformed, however the topsy-turvy nature of the sport as soon as once more exploded as Owen Watkin exploited a chink within the French armour and located Tomos Williams on his inside, the scrumhalf going over for Wales’ second strive, transformed by Costelow.
Williams’ counterpart Le Garrec swung the momentum again the best way of France as he darted over from quick vary after a Fickou cost, Ramos changing to make it 20-17 at half-time of a match that might have left the 2 groups’ respective defence coaches seething.
Any ideas of France utilising their superior ahead energy to place a lid on the sport early within the second interval have been dispelled when Roberts, chosen forward of the vastly skilled centre George North, wrestled his approach over for the house aspect’s third strive after a wise Williams break.
Costelow transformed at hand Wales the lead earlier than Ramos hit his third penalty to maneuver France inside one level.
The French immediately appeared the a lot better aspect in opposition to a Wales workforce decidedly on the again foot in determined defence.
Whereas Thibaud Flament had a strive disallowed, it was finally alternative prop Colombe who broke the impasse after Damian Penaud made a searing break down his proper wing and Le Garrec stored the ball alive.
Ramos transformed and hit one other two factors after big lock Taofifenua charged down Gareth Davies’ clearance kick and was first to get to the ball over the road.
Wales have been responsible of dropping their composure, attempting to run the ball out from deep as France closed down the sport, Lucu profiting from a Penaud offload for a closing strive within the nook.
© Agence France-Presse
Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Photographs