Wales suffered their heaviest defeat ever recorded in the Six Nations, drowning under France's onslaught as Les Bleus triumphed 43-0 at the Stade de France on Saturday. This crushing result not only marked the 13th consecutive Test match loss for Wales under coach Warren Gatland but was also the first time they failed to score any points against Six Nations opposition since the tournament began 25 years ago.
France, driven by the electrifying performance of their captain, Antoine Dupont, dominated the tournament opener, showcasing their strength and tactics. The victory was highlighted by two first-half tries from wings Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, propelling France to secure the bonus point before halftime.
Dupont, returning to the Six Nations after missing the previous year's edition due to commitments with the Olympic sevens team, played like a maestro, orchestrated attacks, and wreaked havoc on the Welsh defense. His contributions were pivotal, culminating with superb passing and tactical accuracy, punctuated by six tries from his teammates, including Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton, and Gregory Alldritt.
The game began on hopeful terms for Wales, who monopolized possession from the kickoff, exhibiting resilience and energy. They even managed to apply pressure on the French defense early on. Yet, disaster struck when center Owen Watkin was forced off with a knee injury, soon followed by number eight Aaron Wainwright, who suffered head trauma, leaving Wales seeker to adapt on the fly.
Despite moments of promise, the tide turned sharply shortly thereafter; Dupont's brilliant kick set up the first try, which Attissogbe capitalized on, making the score 7-0. It took less than five minutes for France to stretch their lead, with Ramos delivering precision passing to Bielle-Biarrey, who finished smoothly under pressure. This marked the beginning of the end for Wales as they struggled to contain their opponents.
Wales finished the first half trailing 28-0, after conceding two additional tries—one from Attissogbe again, soon followed by Bielle-Biarrey's second. Full-back Tomas Ramos converted four tries, adding to the mounting scoreboard pressure.
Gatland made drastic changes after halftime, substituting his entire front row for fresh energy. This decision aimed to counter the French’s relentless strength but bore little fruit as France scored their fifth try shortly after the break through Marchand. The French side's gripping control of the match continued, culminating with two late tries, including Alldritt's powerful finish, sealing the game at 43-0.
"It is not about where it ranks for me. Next week becomes pretty important for us. We can’t hide away from the defeat," Gatland lamented, as the team now gears up for their next challenge against Italy. The upcoming fixture has turned from merely another match to what many see as the wooden spoon decider early on this tournament.
Gatland voiced concern about the injuries plaguing the squad: "They are not looking great. Owen is in a brace with his knee, and it looks like it could be an ACL worn from contact during the match," he reported, indicating the possible severity of Watkin's injury. This negative news adds to Wales' woes as they hope to rebound from their dismal performance.
Reeling from the experience, Gatland reflected on the effort displayed by his players, recognizing their determination but criticizing their inability to capitalize: "I can’t question the effort of the players. They are disappointed. They realize what a quality side they were up against," Gatland stated. His conclusions echoed through the press: tactical experience and game management were evident deficiencies against the well-organized French side.
After the game, Gatland's mixed feelings about the team's effort came forth: "We started well, but when we look back, we have put ourselves under pressure at times by over-playing," he added. This loss has necessitated immediate introspection and development within the squad as they move to Rome for their next challenge. "We need to get the monkey off our back, and the players are aware of how important next week is," he concluded. The upcoming match against Italy looms large, carrying significance beyond mere standings, but as the tournament continues, questions arise whether Wales can lift themselves from this significant setback.