France Demolish Wales in Six Nations Rout Amid Record Low Cardiff Crowd
Wales endured another dark day in their Six Nations campaign as France ran riot with a commanding 54-12 victory at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The hosts were predictably outclassed by the tournament favourites, with the match unfolding in front of plenty of empty seats, highlighting the turbulent times facing Welsh rugby.
Dominant French Performance Seals Bonus-Point Win
Les Bleus scored eight tries en route to their second bonus-point win of the competition, propelling them back to the top of the Six Nations table. This result extended Wales' misery to a 13th consecutive defeat in the tournament, with the visitors claiming their biggest ever Six Nations triumph in the Welsh capital. The French side transformed the Test match into an exhibition of carefree rugby, showcasing their attacking prowess and clinical finishing.
Emilien Gailleton, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Matthieu Jalibert, Julien Marchand, Theo Attissogbe (who scored twice), and Charles Ollivon all crossed the try line for France. Thomas Ramos added seven conversions to complete the scoring, ensuring a comprehensive victory that left the Welsh defence in tatters.
Wales' Defensive Woes Continue Under Steve Tandy
This defeat marked the fifth time in six games under head coach Steve Tandy that Wales have conceded over 40 points, underscoring their persistent defensive vulnerabilities. The hosts have now leaked 34 tries and 248 points during Tandy's tenure, with their porous defence breached inside just 90 seconds of this match. Antoine Dupont's exquisite pass set up an early try for Gailleton, setting the tone for a one-sided contest.
Despite rare moments of comfort from tries by Rhys Carre and Mason Grady, Wales were unable to mount any sustained pressure. The official attendance of 57,744 was the lowest ever recorded in Cardiff for a Six Nations fixture, falling below the previous smallest crowd of 58,349 against Italy in 2002. This stark statistic reflects the growing disillusionment among Welsh fans, who are left wondering when their fortunes will turn around.
French Masterclass Orchestrated by Key Players
Matthieu Jalibert was instrumental in France's victory, delivering inch-perfect kicks and breaking through the Welsh defence to set up tries. His partnership with scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who orchestrated play despite a quiet game by his own standards in the opening round, proved too much for Wales to handle. Dupont's clever chip led to Attissogbe's first score, although it was initially disallowed for offside, before Jalibert secured the bonus point just before half-time.
After the break, France continued their dominance with a power game that saw Marchand score on his 50th appearance for Les Bleus. Attissogbe added two more tries, and Ollivon delivered his trademark close-range effort, capping off a relentless performance. While Grady's late try provided a consolation for Wales, it did little to mask another sobering day for the beleaguered hosts.
As Welsh rugby grapples with ongoing challenges, this defeat serves as a stark reminder of the gap that needs to be bridged to compete at the highest level. With empty seats symbolising fan frustration, the road to recovery appears long and arduous for the national team.
