France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider A fourth consecutive defeat in the Six Nations campaign means Warren Gatland’s side could go down for the first time since 2003.
Italy, buoyed by their stunning success against Scotland, know that Wales will top the final table next Saturday if they repeat their Cardiff victory of two years ago. Rugby is a popular team sport that originated in England in the early 19th century.
France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider
Head coach Gatland urged patience as he builds a new-look post-World Cup, but France showed how big the rebuilding task is as they won in bonus-point fashion after efforts from Gael Fico, Nolan Le Garrec, Georges. Henri Colombe, Romain Taufifenua and Maxime Luku.
France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider Fly-half Tomas Ramos took 20 points from four penalties and four conversions, while Wales responded with touchdowns for Rio Dyer, Tomos Williams and Joe Roberts, with Sam Costello adding three conversions and a penalty.
Wales went into the final quarter leading by a point, but they have now lost 13 of their last 15 Six Nations games and it has been 21 years since Gatland’s fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen oversaw a campaign in which they failed to win a match.
But that scenario could now unfold, with Italy appearing in stronger form than Wales after beating Scotland and drawing with France, who finish their Six Nations season against England in Lyon next weekend.
Wales dealt a late injury blow when hooker Ryan Elias withdrew with hamstring tightness, so Elliott Dee won his 50th cap in the starting line-up and Test rookie Evan Lloyd featured among the replacements.
Costello put Wales ahead in the third minute and Ramos’ penalty was promptly disallowed, but the French defense quickly broke down. France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider
Wales attacked impressively, with Dee and lock Will Rowlands prominent, but neither could track Dyer and he raced steadily for 35 meters before Costello’s conversion opened up a 10-3 lead.
There was an immediate concern for Wales, though, when the first scrum of the game took shape in the Welsh front row and Ramos kicked an easy penalty.
This gave France the momentum, and after successive phase-plays gave Fico a chance they stopped Wales midway and he converted Ramos to smash Costello’s feeble challenge wide.
But any chance France had of consolidating their advantage was quickly quashed when center Wayne Watkin’s half-time break exposed Ramos in defense and Williams claimed another opportunistic score, again converted by Costello.
There was no clear pattern to the rollercoaster contest, and Fico set up a second French try 10 minutes before half-time when his powerful carry was rewarded by Le Garrec’s finish. Ramos’ conversion means France lead 20-17.
Wales counter-attacked as the half drew to a close, but they could only reflect as Aaron Wainwright stretched the French defense again after releasing Williams’ pass.
The try game continued just after half-time, with Wales back in front with strong approach work from Costello and Williams creating an opening for Roberts to score. Costello’s touchline conversion put France four points back.France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider
The visitors looked to have gone back in front after a spell of sustained pressure, but lock Thibaud Flament dropped the ball as he tried to touch the ball and Wales escaped after referee Luke Pearce initially awarded the score.
A Ramos penalty made it a one-point game in the final quarter and Wales were under long pressure before 15 minutes when Columbus crashed over and Ramos converted.France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider
It got worse for Wales as Tafifenua canceled out Gareth Davies’ clearance to seal a bonus-point win and there was no way back for the home side as Luku’s late score added to their woes. France surge condemns Wales to Six Nations wooden spoon decider