France began their 2025 Six Nations Championship campaign with a dominant 43-0 victory over Wales at the Stade de France, delivering one of the most significant defeats for the Welsh side in recent rugby history.
Antoine Dupont, back for his first Six Nations appearance since returning from injury, was the standout player, orchestrated the French onslaught with mastery, providing assists for three of the seven tries. While Dupont shined brightly, Romain Ntamack's night took a dark turn as he was sent off with less than ten minutes left for a dangerous tackle, compounding Wales' woes on what was already a grim outing.
The match kicked off with France quickly asserting control. Their early strikers were youthful talents Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, both of whom scored twice. By halftime, France had established a commanding 28-0 lead, with their attack running rampant against the hapless Welsh defense.
Wales, under head coach Warren Gatland, has been enduring tough times, now having lost 13 consecutive Test matches since October 2023. The last time they finished without scoring was back in 2007, when they were shut out by Australia. This latest performance marked the first scoreless outing for Wales since the 1998 Five Nations era against France.
Wales put forth a struggle but failed to match France’s intensity and skill. By the 49th minute, Dupont had greatly influenced the scoreline before being substituted out. His efforts were infectious, energizing fellow players who managed to exploit every opportunity to progress the scoreboard.
Despite earlier efforts from Wales’ half-back partners Ben Thomas and Tomos Williams, who attempted to stabilize gameplay, it was evident from early on they were outclassed across the field. Their defensive errors were ruthlessly capitalized on by the French, who displayed both finesse and strength.
France went on to score three more tries after halftime, demonstrated once again by the likes of Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton, and Gregory Alldritt. Each displayed the kind of aggressive and spirited rugby Les Bleus are known for, securing the maximum bonus point just before the break and continuing the momentum fully throughout the match.
The performance of Dupont was reminiscent of his previous high-pressure outings and featured all the hallmarks of his rugby intellect. His ability to navigate the field, break tackles, and execute precision passes kept Wales perpetually on the back foot. "Antoine Dupont inspired France to a crushing record opening Six Nations victory against woeful Wales," noted The Independent, pinpointing the extent of his impact.
Wales' misery was compounded when they lost center Owen Watkin to injury, alongside early concerns for number eight Aaron Wainwright, who exited the field due to facial trauma. These departures severely limited the Welsh options and their capacity to contest any advantage.
The refereeing crew, led by New Zealand's Paul Williams, oversaw the intense clash, distributed cards, including yellow cards to Welsh players Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas for various infractions, documenting the rising tempers on the pitch.
This match has left many questions about the direction of Welsh rugby, particularly for Gatland. With Italy on the horizon, failure to secure victory there might spell trouble for his coaching tenure, especially after the critiques following this opening encounter.
Despite their struggles, the Welsh side remains resilient, with emphasis now placed on the upcoming matches to build momentum and secure their first victory of the tournament. Meanwhile, France looks to carry this sensational form throughout the championship as they aim to defend and reclaim their title.
With France’s dominance on display and their young guns rising to the occasion, supporters have reasons to be optimistic, whereas Wales might need to regroup following such heavy defeats and regain their footing before the competition intensifies.