Match Report - Wales stage remarkable comeback in rollercoast Six Nations opener
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.
Les Bleus dominated the opening 40 minutes, cruising clear through touchdowns by number eight Louis Picamoles and Huget, while Lopez booted a penalty and drop-goal.
But Wales underlined strong Six Nations title credentials with a second-half display so far removed from what preceded it, it was hard to comprehend.
Wales came under incessant pressure in the early moments as France made light of slippery handling conditions caused by rain that started two hours before kick-off and had not relented.
Backs and forwards combined impressively to leave Wales stuck inside their own 22, and Les Bleus built patiently before working enough space out wide to send Picamoles over for a sixth-minute try.
But there were initial goalkicking concerns for France as Morgan Parra missed an easy conversion attempt and then drifted a long-range penalty wide after Wales launched an opening attack through a strong Jonathan Davies run.
The visitors should have drawn level approaching the half’s midway point after centre Hadleigh Parkes freed full-back Liam Williams.
Williams dived over the French line and referee Wayne Barnes awarded the try, but as Anscombe was lining up the conversion, television replays were consulted by the official and it was correctly disallowed as Williams knocked on and failed to ground the ball.
And France made Wales pay, scoring their second try just five minutes later after Damian Penaud made initial headway and flanker Arthur Iturria delivered a brilliant one-handed pass to Penaud’s fellow wing Huget, who finished in style.
Parra again failed to add the extras, and Anscombe was no better when it came to accuracy, missing two penalty chances as Wales remained on the back foot.
France went close to claiming a third try as the interval approached, yet Wales infringed and Lopez found the target after taking over kicking duties from his half-back partner, making it 13-0.
Anscombe’s miserable half was then completed when he failed to find touch with a defensive clearance, France attacked and Lopez dropped a goal to put Les Bleus 16 points clear and in complete control.
Gatland opted against making any changes at half time, but Wales needed inspiration from somewhere, and they produced nothing during a one-sided opening 40 minutes to suggest it was going to happen.
Right on cue, though, Wales conjured a score from nothing when wing Josh Adams surged clear in midfield and sent Williams over for a try on his Six Nations debut, with Anscombe’s conversion cutting the deficit to nine points.
And it got even better for Wales five minutes later when Huget failed to grasp Parkes’ rolling kick and North pounced for a try that Anscombe converted.
Anscombe and Williams then departed the action, being replaced by Biggar and Gareth Davies, and Wales were denied a third try after number eight Ross Moriarty surged clear, but Barnes had already whistled for midfield crossing.
Biggar put Wales in front for the first time with 18 minutes left, kicking a long-range penalty which set up a frenzied finale as the visitors looked to pull off an improbable win.
But when Wales infringed at a 70th-minute scrum, Lopez kicked a simple penalty and the visitors were once again behind, before North sealed the deal in spectacular fashion.
Source: PA
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments