France .vs. Wales 43-0 rugby Six Nations « Euro Weekly News
Wales leave pitch after 43-0 defeat to France. Photo Credit Facebook Welsh Rugby Union
The Six Nations 2025 began in Paris yesterday with a spectacular win for the hosts France who monopolised the game.
After the first ten minutes where Wales showed some promise against the French side, France stepped up and beat Wales 43-0. This is the first time since 1998 that Wales have not scored in a five or six nations match.
Wales started off well against France in first rugby Six Nations match
The visiting team knew it wasn’t going to be easy taking on the French in their first match of the Six Nations at Le Stade, but they started off well attacking and defending until the 18th minute when Antoine Dupont kicked into the Welsh 22 and which required Tom Rogers to concede a scrum.
Wales defended well, then five minutes Dupont challenged them and sent the ball to the right corner where Theo Attisogbe was waiting to score.
A conversion off the touchline by Thomas Ramos gave France the overhead pass they needed to enable their wing Louis Bielle-Biarrwy to score a second try. Again, Ramos hit his target and with con version made it 14-0.
Injuries and yellow cards tell the story of France vs Wales rugby Six Nations match
It was a game of injuries and yellow cards for the Welsh that allowed the French to compound their win. Four minutes in Aaron Wainwright was given a nasty cut and then Owen Watkin got a knee injury at the 27-minute mark. At the half an hour mark Lloyd was shown a yellow card for a high shot against Bielle-Biarray.
Whilst he was on off field report the French scored two more tries giving them a half-time lead of 28-0.
Warren Gatland changed out the whole front row just minutes into the second half, and at seven minutes in Fabien Galthie changed six players. The Welsh fought the French persistently in the second half but still conceded another three tries.
The French’s Romain Ntamack was given a yellow and then red card for a late shoulder charge which connected with Ben Thomas’ head. Wales picked up a second yellow card with just four minutes of the game left when Freddie Thomas was penalised for lingering offside.
Next rugby Six Nations games see Scotland vs Italy, and England vs Ireland
Warren Gatland’s team have not won a match since the 2023 World Cup. In 2024 they did not a Test success. They are hoping to change that this season. In Round 2 they will face Italy in Rome and must try to get their first win in 13 games.
February 1 is going to be a busy day for Six Nations fans with Scotland playing Italy in their first match at 2.15pm GMT in Edinburgh at the Murrayfield Stadium and England playing Ireland at 4.45pm GMT at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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