Key events
37 min: Wales have looked alright when they’ve kept the ball, but yet again a poor kick hands possession back. it’s not that kicking from deep on that occasion was a bad call, it’s just that it was too far from the supporting chasers. France come away with it and a cheeky grubber from Dupont on halfway causes problems in the deep. After a bobble and few bodies chasing after it in the corner, Rogers dots the ball down. But it was carried back! France have a scrum five out. yet again Dupont with the ball on a string. Made life a nightmare for young Edwards who made a meal of that cleanup job.
Lloyd’s yellow remains a yellow. A silver lining. That he was the second tackler he probably gets away with it.
TRY! France 21-0 Wales (Attissogbe, 34)
Magic from Dupont! From nothing, without any hint of danger, he carves the game open. At the base of the ruck, he picks up and drops his hip before exploding into space and upfield. He then skins Liam Williams before floating a pass over the top towards the right wing where Attissogbe gathers and – eventually – dots down. Ramos converts, because he doesn’t miss, and suddenly a hiding is on the cards.
33 min: France cough up the line-out. It’s spilled in the air and Reffell collects, much to the relief of the Welsh defenders. Williams hoofs it long off the box kick and Bielle-Biarrey carries back.
32 min: France win the line-out and go down the right as quick as they can. But there’s a penalty in the line-out for intruding on the French set-piece (collapsing the maul that didn’t quite set?). Either way, Ntamack nudges it out again for another line-out.
31 min: The Welsh scrum becomes a French penalty and Ntamack nudges it to the corner. France will have the line-out on the left.
Yellow card! Wales (Lloyd, 31)
There’s a TMO review for a dangerous shot and Lloyd is shown yellow with a review to come. As he’s gone in to act as the second tackler on Bielle-Biarrey he’s made head on head contact and he has to go.
30 min: Dupont again takes control off the back of the scrum but this time his kick doesn’t come off as they move down the left from the centre of the Welsh 22. That took a knock off a Welsh thigh so France build again. Bielle-Biarrey steps off his wing. Great defence from Wales forces a knock-on. Gareth Thomas and others immense. They’ve been really solid when given the chance to form a defensive set. Morgan and Reffell have also caused problems at the breakdown. Despite the score, and a few poor kicks, they’ve been handy.
28 min: Edwards has moved to fly-half with Thomas slotting in the midfield. They’re keeping the ball but then another aimless kick gifts possession away. Attissogbe, from his own 22, launches a bomb off his right boot and it looks like it’s bobbled out for a 50-22. No, not quite, just outside the Welsh 22. Still, a mighty hoof! And the Welsh line-out is sloppy and there’s a knock-on over the top. France have the scrum feed in centre field on the Welsh 22. France are dominating now.
They’re not showing the Watkin injury replay. Could be serious. Knee? Some sort of ligament. Didn’t look good.
We come back for a Welsh scrum just inside their own territory to the left.
There’s a delay as Watkin receives treatment. I’m not sure what’s happened but he looks in genuine pain. he was carrying into contact but went down before the tackle was made and was already crying out in agony. The stretcher is out. Hope it’s not too serious. Watkin is able to hobble off and is replaced by Dan Edwards, who makes his Test debut.
26 min: Wales with the ball again inside French territory. Thomas with a busting charge through midfield. Reffell involved. Seven phases, now eight. Tomos Williams is snagged in possession but they keep it alive. Thomas kicks but it’s a poor one. France can field that without any trouble and take the mark.
TRY! France 14-0 Wales (Bielle-Biarrey, 24)
They’re ridiculous when they play like this. Ramos is some player. Earlier in the move he kept the ball alive by playing a keepy-uppy for himself. Now, with space forming out to his right, he ran off Ntamack before popping it for his winger who scampered over the line. Just to add the icing, Ramos slots the conversion.
23 min: Off the scrum, Dupont drops into the pocket as Aldritt picks up off the base. With that extra space Dupoint launches a wraparound move that unleashes Attissogbe down the right. They’re cantering forward. Ramos is nailed but they keep it going. The continuity is superb. Wonderful hands…
20 min: Wales win a line-out on halfway. They mustn’t lise heart after that. They were hanging with the French before that. Thomas hoists a high kick and they win it in the air. Tomkins then with a carry. But then Thomas, after delaying his pass, drifts it forward right in front of the referee. Just as another move started to form, they cough up the ball. A patter is emerging.
Tough on Adams on defence. He was totally taken out of the game with that kick.
TRY! France 7-0 Wales (Attissogbe, 18)
Sublime! The young winger scores his third try for his country, but it was delivered on a plate from Dupont who dropped only a touch deeper, unfurled a cross-field kick and landed it in Attissogbe’s breadbasket. Just perfect. Ramos converts a tricky one out wide and the French are up and running.
18 min: Seven phases with short passes to heavies and the French are withing touching distance. Dupont has a dip, then Bielle-Biarrey down the left. They have the penalty advantage….
16 min: Wales’ scrum holds but they’re back on their line after strong French defending and counter rucking. Williams box kicks inside his own goal area and finds touch. They’re surviving so far.
14 min: France knock-on a metre away from the Welsh line! Dupont makes a great read in midfield and rushes Tomkins who spills the ball. Attissogbe kicks ahead and chases and almost gets there, but as he slides in to gather he spills it. Pressure now on Wales and their scrum five from their own line.
14 min: Roumat rises to claim a line-out on halfway. Dupont then switches the play and kicsk it straight out. He looks quizzically at his mates but that was just poor from the great player.
11 min: Another lengthy delay. Williams will put in to this Welsh scum inside France’s 22 on the right. They charge straight and then go down the left across the line. Adams was in space but they can’t get down to him quick enough. Still they come, first left and then back right. Short passes for runners but France win a penalty on the ground, Aldritt getting over the ball. Wales will be frustrated and encouraged by that. All off the base of a solid scrum.
9 min: The scrum collapses multiple times and it ends in a Welsh free-kick. They hoist it high but Ramos comes away with it after a Welsh knock-on. Then they steal it back. Morgan carries. Tell you what, they’re playing well. Thomas with a dink over the top and the cross-field kick almost comes off. Adams close to getting on the end of it.
7 min: Patience before France strike down the right. Attissogbe has no space but still finds room to skip down the wing. He has support on his inside but can’t the ball away thanks to a Reffell tackle. If he did it was a try. France recycle but dally and Reffell stoops low to steal the ball. What a minute for the Leicester Tiger flank.
Wales have a chance to stay on the ball but spill it soon after. Watkin couldn’t quite scoop a low pass with an overlap forming down his right.
Scrum to France.
5 min: Stiff defence from Wales as France move the ball at pace but laterally. Adams nails Barassi in the tackle. It bobbles out for a French throw and they set the maul. Aldritt then darts down the blind and France rumble onwards.
4 min: Dupont is held up over the line! France win the line-out and then a penalty on the ground. Dupong taps and goes and ghosts past four men in red. he’s bundled over the try line but held up by two tacklers. Rogers wriggling his body between the ball and the ground. Wainwright is off with a blood injury and replaced by Reffell.
3 min: Oh but France turn on the class. wales cough up possession with a needless grubber and Ramos, with his first touch of the ball, launches an unreal 50-22. France with the line-out inside Wales’ 22.
2 min: Wales kick off and then get it back after Dupont kicsk. The Welsh built through phases. Morgan with a strong carry. They’re hovering around the halfway but good continuity. Seven phases before Tomos Williams boxes. They have it back. Great start for Wales.
A minute applause for former France Under-18 international Medhi Narjissi, who was swept away to his death off a South African beach back in August.
Then the anthems, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” followed by “La Marseillaise”.
The French, illuminated in a field otherwise covered in darkness, belt out their nation’s battle cry acapella. Wow. Good luck Wales. Those boys in blue are ready to run through walls. If Wales pull this off it’d be one of the biggest upsets in rugby history. No question.
The players are making their way out of the tunnel and the Stade looks INSANE!
If you ever get the chance to watch a rugby match in Paris you have to take it. Bucket list stuff. No wonder Twickenham wants to start hosting Friday night matches. The French make it the hottest ticket ticket in town.
It’s starting to rain in Paris.
Gatland says that might help his team and “even things up and make it more difficult to play.”
He says he’s already fostered a “siege mentality” and has encouraged the players to “enjoy the occasion”.
There are a bunch of new laws in place for this year’s Six Nations:
Conversions must take place within 60 seconds.
Lineouts to be formed within 30 seconds (same as scrums)
No stoppage for lineouts that aren’t straight if the defending team doesn’t contest.
9s (or players at the base of a ruck, maul or scrum) have more protection from defenders (effectively given more space).
20 minute red card – players can still get sent off, but after 20 minutes they can be replaced by a teammate, which means we can hopefully stop talking about red cards ruining games.
I was listening to the BBC’s Rugby Union Daily this week. Chris Jones and Ugo Monye asked every coach and captain which opposition player they’d want in their own squad. No surprise, just about every person said Antoine Dupont.
My fellow South Africans might be rolling their eyes reading this, but the more I think about it the more I think he’s the best player of all time, or at least on his way to becoming the best player of all time.
Rob singled him out in yesterday’s preview piece. Now that we’ve all gassed up the little genius, he better deliver!
Bill Preston has written in and has that loving feeling:
It’s one of my favourites sporting days of the year: the opening game.
The first set of matches is such a opportunity for teams to set their stall out and get a stomp on towards victory. The breathless momentum that can carry a team through the tournament can be propped up by the thrilling heroics we have come to expect to see on the pitch.
I love it all.
Here’s looking forward to another great year,
Hear hear Bill.
Just four Welsh players in tonight’s 23 played against South Africa in November, so it’s somewhat of a restart for Gatland tonight.
Club form has been rewarded and Cardiff’s Ben Thomas starts at 10. The Blues have carried the flag this season in the URC and are fifth in the table. Last season no Welsh clubs finished in the top half of the 16-team competition, so there are signs of improvement.
Wales are out to restore pride back in the badge.
So says Daffyd Jenkins, who spoke with Rob Kitson.
The lock, who became the youngest captain in Six Nations history last year, returns after an injury lay-off.
Wales have lost 12 in a row and, to be honest, it’ll probably be 13 by the end of the night. But that doesn’t mean they can’t achieve the goal Jenkins has set for the group.
More from Andy who says that French rugby “needs some Dupont magic”.
It hasn’t been the most harmonious of build ups for the side I’m going to pick now as 2025 grand slam winners (might as well pin your colours to the flag).
Some high profile players have been positively mutinous and the returning skipper’s dazzle could brush away those scandals.
Tonight marks the official start of the 25 years in the Six Nations. It was 2000 when Italy joined the party and shocked defending champions Scotland on the opening night.
Take a look at some of the best photos taken all those years ago:
Wales team news
Jac Morgan finally gets to captain his country at the Six Nations, fullback Liam Williams and centre Josh Adams bring experience in the backline, Dafydd Jenkins returns. It’s not the All Blacks of 2015 but Warren Gatland has a better group than he had last year. Maybe they’ll click?
What that means remains to be seen. There’s a debutant at hooker, a debutant fly-half on the bench and Henry Thomas, who once played for England, plays for Wales for the first time tonight.
“They’ve been outstanding,” Gatland said of his team. “There’s been a good buzz around the group. They’ve been excellent. The next couple of days, it’s about coaches taking a step back and allowing the players to lead.”
Wales: 15 Liam Williams (Saracens); 14 Tom Rogers (Scarlets), 13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens), 12 Owen Watkin (Ospreys), 11 Josh Adams (Cardiff); 10 Ben Thomas (Cardiff), 9 Tomos Williams (Gloucester); 1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), 2 Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), 3 Henry Thomas (Scarlets), 4 Will Rowlands (Racing 92), 5 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), 6 James Botham (Cardiff), 7 Jac Morgan (Ospreys, captain), 8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Tommy Reffell (Leicester), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets).
France team news
Dumack returns after 18 months. I normally hate portmanteaus but the half-back pair of the two Toulouse generals deserves one. Romain Ntamack missed the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury and then 2024 with a twanged calf. He’s back at 10 to reprise his double act with Antoine Dupont.
Bordeaux’s try-machine Damian Penaud is absent, joining centre Gaël Fickou, lock Thibaud Flament and the loose forward Charles Ollivon on the injury list. But it’s still a team stacked with quality and heft.
Pierre-Louis Barassi wins his fourth cap after a four year hiatus while former skipper Grégory Alldritt starts in the back row. Big hitters on a 6-2 bench lie in wait.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos (Toulouse); 14 Théo Attissogbé (Pau), 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi (Toulouse), 12 Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux Bègles), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux Bègles); 10 Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), 9 Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, capt); 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), 2 Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), 3 Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), 4 Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse), 5 Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), 6 François Cros (Toulouse), 7 Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), 8 Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
Replacements: Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon), Oscar Jégou (La Rochelle), Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), Émilien Gailleton (Pau).
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
The day has arrived. As Andy Bull said,
“Every Six Nations marks a transition, it begins in the winter and finishes in the spring. One of the reasons it is loved so much is that it fills the bleakest weekends of the year and we know that once it is over the sun will be coming along soon enough.”
This 25th edition feels a little special already. Maybe it’s the the fact that every side has something to prove. Maybe it’s the looming Lions tour. Maybe it’s that at least half the sides will fancy themselves. Maybe it’s the return of the world’s best player.
Is Antoine Dupont the best of all time? It’s a question that’ll run til March, which gives him plenty of time to answer it as he takes aim at a grand slam.
Kicking off in Paris under lights against Wales is possibly the best draw on the table. Which is why Warren Gatland’s troops, despite their dismal run, should feel absolutely no pressure.
Of course they’re playing for a nation’s pride and their own self respect, but no one’s given them a prayer. If they step into that arena and fly into contact, box smart and back themselves, they could leave with heads held high no matter the result.
A great game of any sort will be a fitting launch for a tournament renowned for lifting moods. There’s a ton of negative news in this sport. Having this competition back feels like a treat.
Kick off in Paris 21:15 local time, 20:15 BST.
Team news, updates and more to come.
If you’d like to get in touch and share your thoughts about this match or the Six Nations in general, drop me a mail.
