6 Nations ’25: France 43 – 0 Wales

In a commanding display at the Stade de France on Friday, France opened their Six Nations campaign with a resounding 43-0 victory over Wales. The hosts showcased their dominance by crossing the try line seven times, leaving the Welsh side scoreless.

France set the tone early, with Antoine Dupont nearly scoring in the opening minutes, only to be held up over the line by a resilient Welsh defense.

The French side capitalized on their momentum, with winger Martin Attissogbé securing two tries in the 18th and 34th minutes. Louis Bielle-Biarrey added to the tally with tries in the 23rd and 40th minutes, giving France a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, France maintained their offensive onslaught. Hooker Julien Marchand crossed the line in the 55th minute, followed by replacement Émilien Gailleton in the 68th minute. Despite being reduced to 14 men after fly-half Romain Ntamack received a red card for a shoulder-to-head tackle in the 70th minute, France sealed their victory with a try from Grégory Alldritt.

Returning after a hiatus to focus on Sevens, Dupont was instrumental in orchestrating France’s attack, showcasing his vision and leadership. Wingers Martin Attissogbé and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both displayed exceptional pace and finishing skills, each contributing significantly to the scoreboard.

The Welsh team faced challenges throughout the match, struggling to penetrate the formidable French defense. Head coach Warren Gatland attributed the defeat to inexperience and some unfavourable refereeing decisions but acknowledged areas of positivity, such as the team’s scrummaging and certain defensive efforts.

France’s emphatic win underscores their status as strong contenders in this year’s Six Nations. However, the upcoming fixture against England poses a challenge, especially with the absence of Ntamack due to suspension.

For Wales, the focus shifts to their next match against Italy in Rome. This game is pivotal as they aim to rebound from the defeat and address the issues highlighted in their performance against France.