Follow live updates as France face a testing trip to Wales in the Six Nations on what is set to be an electric atmosphere at the Principality Stadium. Les Blues have the chance to move one game away from the Grand Slam but a Friday night clash under the lights in Cardiff will be a further test of their credentials. Fabien Galthie’s side have been outstanding so far, brushing aside Italy and Scotland and defeating Ireland in a thrilling match at the Stade de France to close in on a first Six Nations title since 2010.
Wales will hope for a response after they were unable to overturn England’s lead at Twickenham two weekends ago and Wayne Pivac’s side will be looking to avoid a third defeat in their Six Nations title defence, which was effectively ended following their defeat against England. The Wales head coach described France as the “most in-form team in the world” but the likes of England and Ireland will be hoping for an upset to take the title into the final week.
England face Ireland on Saturday and the winner of that match could profit in France slip up in Cardiff. An away victory, however, would see France hosting England in Paris on Super Saturday with the Grand Slam on the line. Follow for live updates from Wales vs France in the Six Nations below:
A few more phases and then France rid themselves of the ball. Gareth Anscombe claims the mark.
Louis Rees-Zammit weaves with ominous intent, but can’t quite find a fissure. Is that a knock on from Alex Cuthbert? No, backwards! That is, however, a French hand knocking the ball on. Wales scrum twelve metres inside their own half. 38 seconds left.
Lineout taken well, and Maxime Lucu introduces himself to the higher reaches of the Principality Stadium, launching a high kick.
It doesn’t quite go far enough, and suddenly space appears for Will Rowlands, who stomps into it. But Wales are isolated, and Jonathan Danty is over the ball – another jackal penalty to France. Another vital intervention – and this penalty is kickable…
France defend the set-piece strike move solidly. They then nearly nick ruck ball, but Wales still have it.
To the left…Romain Ntamack grabs it! His left hand harpoons a floated pass at the line and France survive. Wales are penalised for their illegal efforts to win it back and they will be asked to retreat with shaking heads. What an intervention from Ntamack!
France are offside from a kick and Wales win the ball back, so will play on. And play on they do, shifting the ball to the left and into the hands of Taulupe Faletau, who is tackled at the hips by Gabin Villiere.
It all eventually comes to nothing after a long advantage ends with Louis Rees-Zammit’s through kick being deflected into touch.
Now then! Wales will opt for the scrum from where the ball was kicked (on the French 22) rather than for the penalty on halfway. Bold call, but with time running down, one that makes a degree of sense.
And France take off Antoine Dupont! Maxime Lucu charges on as Dupont takes a dissatisfied seat on the bench. Another bold call…
Solid defensive set from France. Gael Fickou erodes Welsh thoughts of an overlap with a good decision as the edge defender, and Dan Biggar eventually has to go to the boot. France lineout 30 metres out from their own line.
Gareth Anscombe is also on for Wales. It appears to be for Liam Williams.
Strong work from Louis Rees-Zammit. Wales kick the 22 dropout to about halfway and chase well, swarming the ball carrier after Rees-Zammit stalls him. France held up and turned over.
This might get even better for Wales. Thibaud Flament has flipped Josh Adams out of the collapsed maul, and he is penalised. He’s probably fortunate not to get a yellow, too, aided by the fact that Adams was on top of some bodies already and landed on the replacement French second row.
