France dominated Wales on the opening night of the 2025 Six Nations Championship, showcasing their rugby prowess at the iconic Stade de France. The French team entered the tournament as favorites, buoyed by the return of their captain, Antoine Dupont, who was eager to shine after missing last year's championship due to Olympic commitments.
Wales, on the other hand, faced the formidable challenge of shaking off the dust from what has been a dismal spell. Winless since the 2023 World Cup and finishing last with the wooden spoon last year, they aimed to start anew under the experienced eye of head coach Warren Gatland. With their last victory dating back to 2023, expectations were low, yet hope lingered.
The kick-off at 8:15 PM local time saw both teams field their best, with Dupont leading France's charge against a youthful Welsh squad. Wales made some adjustments, bringing back experienced players to augment their roster of promising talent, including debutant Dan Edwards, following significant injuries.
Early on, Wales struggled but held their ground thanks to great defensive efforts, particularly from Gareth Thomas, who played valiantly to contain the French onslaught. Despite this, the momentum soon shifted markedly. France's electric pace and ingenuity led to tumultuous moments for Wales.
French winger Theo Attisogbe crossed the line for the opening try after some dazzling footwork from Dupont, pushing the score to 21-0 by the 35-minute mark, leaving Welsh spirits at their lowest. "Oh stop it Antonie Dupont! More magic from the incredible No 9 as he snipes, weaves between tacklers," exclaimed Luke Baker of The Independent, painting the scene of French domination.
Penalties against Wales compounded their woes. Evan Lloyd was sent to the sin bin for eight minutes following head contact with Bielle-Biarrey, as France capitalized on their numerical advantage. Despite holding possession momentarily, careless decisions plagued the Welsh, leading to another France score.
Wales' troubles intensified with Owen Watkin's possible knee injury, causing significant disruption to their strategies. Dan Edwards’ debut was necessitated by Watkin's departure, forcing the inexperienced player to adapt quickly to the high stakes. Commentary from The Independent mirrored the concern: “These last ten minutes have been tough to watch, and... Owen Watkin only compounds their issues.”
Dupont, determined to cement France’s lead, crafted yet another opportunity, deftly executing strategic plays. His combination with Romain Ntamack kept the pressure mounting, demonstrating France's superior execution and tactical nous.
Half-time arrived with the scoreline firmly tilted at 21-0, leading fans and pundits alike to wonder if Wales could regroup and perform at all amid the mounting pressure. "Wales face a tall task…" as highlighted during preview discussions earlier, summarizing their uphill battle against the dynamique Les Bleus.
The second half promised intensity as the Welsh side, desperate to rid themselves of their losing run, prepared to come back strong, knowing every second on the clock counted if they hoped to salvage their campaign. Meanwhile, France were eager to put on a memorable display, intent on leaving no doubt about their dominance early on.
With the Six Nations now having kicked off under the Friday night lights, the stakes were undeniably high for both sides. A thrilling continuation awaited as the rivalry resumed within the hallowed ground of rugby tradition, where every play echoing through the stadium would carve out stories for the ages.