France underlined their Six Nations title credentials with a devastating 54 - 12 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium, running in eight tries and exposing the gulf that currently separates the sides.
Leading 26 - 7 at halftime, Les Bleus wasted little time tightening their grip. A penalty conceded by Olly Cracknell for a late hit on Antoine Dupont handed France territory early in the second half. Matthieu Jalibert kicked to the corner and from the ensuing maul Julien Marchand powered over for his 50th Test try. Thomas Ramos converted from the touchline to stretch the lead to 33 - 7.
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The pattern quickly became relentless. Another misplaced Welsh kick was punished in the 48th minute when Louis Bielle Biarrey broke clear and found Théo Attissogbe on his inside for the winger’s second try of the afternoon. Ramos converted again for 40 - 7.
If there was any doubt about the trajectory, it evaporated nine minutes later. From first phase, Jalibert delivered a precise crossfield kick that Attissogbe collected to complete his brace. Ramos’ accuracy from the tee made it 45 - 7 and Wales were retreating under sustained pressure.
The most damaging passage followed on the hour mark. Straight from the restart, Baptiste Serin sold a simple dummy and sprinted 60 metres through a fractured defensive line. Three phases later, Charles Ollivon forced his way over. Ramos converted to make it 54 - 7 in what had become a comprehensive dismantling.
Wales did create moments. Josh Adams came within inches of finishing a rare sustained attack only to knock on with the line beckoning, a moment that summed up an afternoon where intent was not matched by execution. There were phases where the home side carried with purpose and briefly tested French resolve, but each positive spell was undermined by handling errors or ill judged kicking decisions.
To their credit, Wales continued to search for a response. In the 77th minute they produced their best sequence of the match. A quick tap initiated three strong forward carries before the ball was moved wide, Louis Rees Zammit releasing Mason Grady to score in the corner. Jarrod Evans missed the conversion, leaving the final score at 54 - 12.
France had earlier struck inside the opening minute through Émilien Gailleton, with further first half tries from Louis Bielle Biarrey, Fabien Brau Boirie and Jalibert establishing control long before the interval. Ramos finished with a flawless display from the tee in the second half and orchestrated territory with authority.
For Wales, the defeat extends a run that has become increasingly difficult to contextualise. There were flashes of physical commitment and occasional defensive stands, but the recurring themes of discipline, decision making and defensive spacing resurfaced under the pressure applied by a side operating at a different level of cohesion and accuracy.
France march on with momentum and depth that could define this championship. Wales are left searching not only for solutions, but for evidence that progress can be measured in something other than damage limitation.