Record-breaking France run riot in Cardiff

On a grim afternoon for Welsh rugby, Fabien Galthié’s new-look side delivered an eight-try blitz, securing their largest-ever victory in Cardiff and leaving Steve Tandy’s rebuilding project with plenty of work to do.

The French blitz

The contest was effectively over as a spectacle within the opening quarter. Captain Antoine Dupont set the tempo early, orchestrating a gorgeous opening try for centre Emilien Gailleton after just two minutes. By the eleventh minute, Louis Bielle-Biarrey had extended his record-breaking Championship strike rate, latching onto a pinpoint Matthieu Jalibert cross-kick to score in the corner.

The gulf in class was personified by the third try, as debutant inside centre Fabien Brau-Boirie showcased his Top 14 pedigree. Taking a swift pass after Bielle-Biarrey had danced around a static Welsh defence, the youngster glided past the cover to score his first international try on the hallowed Cardiff turf.

A brief Welsh resistance

Wales did find a momentary pulse in the 18th minute. Following a successful aerial contest by wing Ellis Mee, the hosts hammered at the French line. While lock Adam Beard effort was initially ruled held up, loosehead prop Rhys Carré used every ounce of his frame to rumble over from a quick tap penalty.

However, any hope of a comeback was extinguished by a litany of errors just before the interval. After winning a hard-earned turnover, Beard attempted a clearance kick that lacked both accuracy and space. The ball ricocheted directly into the arms of a grateful Jalibert, who strolled over for the easiest score of the match.

Total Gallic dominance

The second half was a showcase for the "Ramos and Bielle-Biarrey" show. Fullback Ramos demonstrated why he is considered one of the world's finest playmakers, executing a stunning overhead pass back to his winger to set up the first of two tries for Attissogbe.

As the Welsh defensive alignment grew increasingly narrow and disorganised, France exploited every inch of space. Hooker Julien Marchand powered over from a textbook maul, before replacement scrum-half Baptiste Serin sold a dummy that froze the Welsh chasers, allowing back row stalwart Charles Ollivon to crash over for France’s seventh.

Wales did manage a consolation score in the final moments as replacement back Mason Grady crossed following a series of drives, but it did little to mask the reality: Wales have now conceded 50 points in four of their last five home matches.

For France, the Grand Slam dream remains vividly alive; for Wales, the search for a defensive identity continues.

Wales (7) 12 Tries: Carré, Grady Con: Edwards

France (26) 54 Tries: Gailleton, Bielle-Biarrey, Brau-Borie, Jalibert, Marchand, Attissogbe (2), Ollivon Con: Ramos (7)

Wales: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit; 14. Josh Adams, 13. Eddie James, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Ellis Mee, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Rhys Carré, 2. Dewi Lake (c), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Alex Mann, 8. Olly Cracknell

Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias 17. Nicky Smith 18. Archie Griffin 19. Ben Carter 20. Taine Plumtree 21. Kieran Hardy 22. Jarrod Evans 23. Mason Grady

France: 15. Thomas Ramos; 14. Théo Attissogbe, 13.⁠ ⁠Émilien Gailleton, 12.⁠ ⁠Fabien Brau-Boirie, 11.⁠ ⁠Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 10.⁠ ⁠Matthieu Jalibert, 9.⁠ ⁠Antoine Dupont (c); 1.⁠ ⁠Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2.⁠ ⁠Julien Marchand, 3.⁠ ⁠Dorian Aldegheri; 4.⁠ ⁠Charles Ollivon, 5.⁠ ⁠Mickaël Guillard; 6.⁠ ⁠François Cros, 7.⁠ ⁠Oscar Jegou, 8.⁠ ⁠Anthony Jelonch

Replacements: 16.⁠ Maxime Lamothe, 17.⁠ ⁠Rodrigue Neti, 18.⁠ ⁠Régis Montagne, 19.⁠ Thibaud Flament, 20.⁠ ⁠Emmanuel Meafou, 21.⁠ ⁠Lenni Nouchi, 22.⁠ ⁠Baptiste Serin, 23.⁠ ⁠Noah Nene