France Dominates Wales in Six Nations Showdown
In a commanding display, France triumphed over Wales with a staggering 54-12 victory in Cardiff on Sunday, securing their position as the only unbeaten side in the Six Nations following two rounds of play. The performance marked the highest scoring win for France against Wales, surpassing their previous record of 51-0 achieved in 1998.
Establishing Dominance Early
France wasted no time in establishing dominance, scoring their first try a mere 88 seconds into the match. Rather than relying solely on brute strength, they showcased an agile and fluid style of play reminiscent of sevens rugby, characterized by quick ball movement and skillful offloads that consistently dismantled the Welsh defense. With Wales struggling to find any rhythm, they were left scrambling to maintain their defensive organization throughout the game.
Key Contributions
Key contributions came from young centers Fabien Brau-Boirie, 20, and Émilien Gailleton, 22, both of whom added their names to the scoreboard. Gailleton was later substituted by Noah Néné, 21, another debutant who joined the action in the latter stages of the match. Flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert was instrumental in the victory, earning the man of the match honors as he not only scored a try himself but also assisted on three others.
Wales’ Ongoing Struggles
For Wales, the defeat extended their disheartening Six Nations losing streak to 13 games, a setback that continues to haunt the team since 2022. The match attracted approximately 60,000 fans, marking the lowest attendance for a Wales home game since the tournament’s expansion in 2000, highlighting the growing concerns surrounding the team’s performance on the international stage.
