THE BOOS RANG out at the final whistle in the Stade de France and they are unlikely to subside any time soon as France went down 20-13 at home to Wales to lose their second game of the 2015 Six Nations.
The home side weren’t clinical at any stage and it cost them dearly, with four missed kicks and a host of attacking opportunities squandered.
Wales opened the scoring after Romain Taofifenua was penalised for not rolling away and Leigh Halfpenny kicked the resulting penalty.
It didn’t take France long to draw level though, with Camille Lopez squaring it from the tee after Wales went offside in their own 22.
There weren’t a whole lot of try-scoring opportunities in the first half for either side but Halfpenny was able to put Wales back in front with another penalty after France illegally stole the ball inside their own half.
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France thought they had scored the first try after Yoann Huget crossed in the corner but there was a forward pass in the build-up from Lopez.
Wales had a spell of possession in the French 22 towards the end of the half but the home side held out.
It looked like the sides would be level heading into the break but Lopez missed his second penalty of the game, pulling his kick badly wide from 35m to ensure Wales maintained their slender lead at the break.
France started the second half at a ferocious pace and threatened the Welsh line on a number of occasions but further missed kicks from Lopez and Parra and some poor decision-making meant they failed to convert any of their pressure.
Lopez eventually tapped over a penalty but Halfpenny soon responded with one of his own.
Then the real moment of class came. Rhys Webb made a slashing break and found the supporting Dan Lydiate, who threw a delightful pass behind his back to Dan Biggar who finished off the move in the corner.
Another Halfpenny penalty looked to seal the game for the Welsh but the French exploded back into life.
Sub prop Uini Atonio showed two lovely touches in attack that created space for his outside backs in the Welsh 22 and Brice Dulin finished off the move in the left hand corner.
The home side had a great chance to snatch a draw but Remi Tales cut inside with a man outside him and knocked on in the Welsh 22 as France lost to the visitors for the fourth consecutive time.
Wasteful France allow Wales leave Paris with valuable win
Wales 20 France 13
THE BOOS RANG out at the final whistle in the Stade de France and they are unlikely to subside any time soon as France went down 20-13 at home to Wales to lose their second game of the 2015 Six Nations.
The home side weren’t clinical at any stage and it cost them dearly, with four missed kicks and a host of attacking opportunities squandered.
Wales opened the scoring after Romain Taofifenua was penalised for not rolling away and Leigh Halfpenny kicked the resulting penalty.
It didn’t take France long to draw level though, with Camille Lopez squaring it from the tee after Wales went offside in their own 22.
There weren’t a whole lot of try-scoring opportunities in the first half for either side but Halfpenny was able to put Wales back in front with another penalty after France illegally stole the ball inside their own half.
France thought they had scored the first try after Yoann Huget crossed in the corner but there was a forward pass in the build-up from Lopez.
Wales had a spell of possession in the French 22 towards the end of the half but the home side held out.
It looked like the sides would be level heading into the break but Lopez missed his second penalty of the game, pulling his kick badly wide from 35m to ensure Wales maintained their slender lead at the break.
France started the second half at a ferocious pace and threatened the Welsh line on a number of occasions but further missed kicks from Lopez and Parra and some poor decision-making meant they failed to convert any of their pressure.
Lopez eventually tapped over a penalty but Halfpenny soon responded with one of his own.
Then the real moment of class came. Rhys Webb made a slashing break and found the supporting Dan Lydiate, who threw a delightful pass behind his back to Dan Biggar who finished off the move in the corner.
Another Halfpenny penalty looked to seal the game for the Welsh but the French exploded back into life.
Sub prop Uini Atonio showed two lovely touches in attack that created space for his outside backs in the Welsh 22 and Brice Dulin finished off the move in the left hand corner.
The home side had a great chance to snatch a draw but Remi Tales cut inside with a man outside him and knocked on in the Welsh 22 as France lost to the visitors for the fourth consecutive time.
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6Nations All-Ireland Senior HC Six Nations dogged display France Wales Update