France vs. Wales: Score and Reaction from 2017 Six Nations Round 5
France defeated Wales in the final round of matches in the 2017 Six Nations in Paris, prevailing 20-18 in a controversial end to the contest on Saturday.
In a tight affair at the Stade de France, the hosts held a slender advantage of 10-9 at half-time, but the Welsh drove forward to open an eight-point gap in the second half.
With normal time complete, France were perched on the Welsh try line, and the match continued for another 19 minutes before the hosts crossed the line to steal the victory in the most dramatic fashion.
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France dominated the opening moments as they scored 10 unanswered points.
Leigh Halfpenny's positioning was exposed as Camille Lopez's clever chip found Remi Lamerat for the opening try after only seven minutes.
The centre dived over the line for the easiest of scores, as the Welsh appeared dumbfounded at their failure to defend.
Wales attacked back as Rhys Webb drove upfield, but France remained dangerous as they controlled territory and handling.
The visitors strong-arm tactics in midfield were not working, and the French were clearly motivated by their early successes.
Lopez kicked a penalty to make it 10-0 after 16 minutes, as Thomas Francis was penalised in the scrum.
The Welsh began to get their act together, with George North the spearhead for his side's comeback.
Halfpenny's metronomic kicking was in full effect as he posted nine points to narrow the margin at half-time, but the French would have been the happier of the two parties.
The second half was a different affair, as Wales showed fortitude against a strong home defence.
Both teams made mistakes as they scrapped for possession, but the boot of Halfpenny gave the visitors a two-point advantage as both sides fought a physical battle on the ground.
Halfpenny's fifth penalty widened the gap as the French stood demoralised, and with 15 minutes remaining, the tie had swung away from the hosts.
The Welsh kicker made it 18-13 in the closing stages, triggering a huge effort from France to overturn the result.
The French drove for the line as they required a converted try in the final seconds, and a scrum under the Welsh posts almost produced a spectacular moment—with the Paris crowd in full voice.
The bizarre final play of the game—which saw a further scrummage situation last an astonishing seven minutes on the Welsh try line—allowed the French to keep the ball alive until the 99th minute of the match before they bundled the ball home for the try by Camille Chat.
Sports journalist Kate Gardiner was shocked at the final outcome:
Welsh hearts were broken in a crazy end to proceedings, but the hosts did not give up as they focused on capturing an unlikely win.
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