France 20-7 Wales LIVE! Six Nations 2023 match stream, latest score and rugby updates today
Six Nations Super Saturday continues this afternoon in Paris as Les Bleus hope to keep their title hopes alive. The defending champions need to pull off a nice win at the Stade de France and hope for a big favor from old rivals England later in Dublin to shatter Ireland’s Grand Slam dreams and defeat the world’s best team last. Unlikely yes, but stranger things have happened.
France should hold their share of the bargain as they return to home soil today, fresh from a seven-try, 43-point defeat at Twickenham last weekend, which was England’s heaviest home defeat of all time. After the first Six Nations win on English soil since 2005, confidence in Fabien Galthie’s camp will now be back at high levels, just what they needed given the small matter of an upcoming home Rugby World Cup in the autumn.
Warren Gatland’s Wales side have weathered a mostly dismal tournament against the backdrop of the sport’s ongoing national crisis but should at least avoid the wooden spoon after earning a much-needed bonus point in Rome last weekend. Follow France vs Wales in the Six Nations live below!
live updates
This man just can’t miss from the tee, can he?
Sublime kicks from Thomas Ramos in recent weeks.
halftime
France 20-7 Wales
A great start from Wales who deservedly took the lead thanks to George North’s easy early try.
Since then, however, the French have taken control, with attempts from Damian Penaud and Jonathan Danty, as well as two penalties from Thomas Ramos.
This could be damage control for Warren Gatland’s side from here.
Watch: Danty walks over for second French try
36 minutes: Penaud has been outstanding for France so far and the French fans want North to be punished for deflecting his pass there.
He then leads another dangerous attack, which is just blocked by Biggar and gives Wales the lineout ball in the middle of their own half.
Wales need half time here.
ATTEMPT! France 20-7 Wales | Jonathan Danty 34′
34 minutes: Reckless!
France attack with real menace down the left, with wonderful passing and footwork while half-backs Ntamack and Dupont combine to excellent effect.
The Welsh defense is completely tightened so France quickly pull to the right with three passes including a final Penaud to Danty who sprints and dives into the right corner.
Ramos’ conversion creeps in at the far post! Feels tough for Wales but they are now in a 13 point hole approaching half time.
PENALTY! France 13-7 Wales | Thomas Ramos 29′
29 minutes: A Welsh pass is hurled well past Biggar, sending Wales reeling.
They manage to grab it, but there is a scrum at the end that puts a lot of pressure on the crowd.
It’s another penalty duly slammed by the unflappable Ramos. The French lead moved up to six points.
PENALTY! France 10-7 Wales | Thomas Ramos 26′
26 minutes: Because of this, Wales have looked to avoid collapse early on as the bucking and scraping from France is supreme.
Faletau is brought down by a combination of Marchand and Cros, with the hooker then immediately bringing her powerful frame over the ball.
The penalty is within easy range and Ramos commits to put France ahead for the first time today.
24 minutes: A bit of kick tennis as Ramos tries to give France an advantage in that area.
Alun Wyn Jones has left with an HIA so Dafydd Jenkins is in for Wales for now.
23 minutes: France’s attack isn’t quite firing yet and an overflow from Fickou is fired forward by North while Wales rush forward to build even more pressure.
Eventually, the hosts gather calmly and the captured Dupont is able to fire almost halfway into contact.
22 minutes: More Welsh pressure after the set piece as Beard tries to crash through the line but he is brought down by Baille and it’s an ultra-fast jackalling by Taofifenua to earn a penalty.