It was not for want of Welsh effort, because they moved might and main to break the French, and looked as if they might do so after a try by tight-head Dillon Lewis seven minutes into the second half saw them claw their way back into contention, with Dan Biggar's conversion leaving them only one point adrift at 17-16.
However, France had the coolest kid on the block in young fly-half Romain Ntamack and, as a resurgent Wales attacked again in the 51st minute, with Nick Tompkins making a half break and Justin Tipuric in the clear outside him, he stole the show.
It is said that fortune favours the brave, and Ntamack trusted in his poacher's instinct to anticipate the Tompkins pass, and, after juggling the ball, tucked it under his arm before using his deceptive speed to race the 65 metres for an intercept try that tilted the match decisively in France's favour.
It was a classic 14 point moment because if Ntamack had got his read wrong it was almost certain that Wales would have scored to take the lead for the first time. Instead, it helped France to their first win in Cardiff since 2010, when they also went on to win their last Grand Slam.
This young French team's ability to emulate that feat no longer looks like a long shot with two matches to play, starting with a visit to Edinburgh, and, if they negotiate that hurdle successfully, the prospect of a Grand Slam if they can beat Ireland in Paris.
It looks attainable because in Ntamack the French have found a fly-half who has composure as well as a creative streak, and also because of the infectious energy that the new French brains trust of head coach Fabien Galthie, defence coach Shaun Edwards, and manager Raphael Ibanez, have generated in this new French squad.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 23, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 23, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
