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France will go for Grand Slam glory next week after resisting a determined effort from Wales to snatch a huge 13-9 win in Cardiff.
Coach Fabien Galthie’s team were pushed hard by last season’s Six Nations champions, and it was their tenacity more than their flowing rugby that secured the French victory.
The only try of the contest came from Anthony Jelonch in the first half, with Wales unable to breach their opponents’ line.
It means France will welcome England to the Stade de France in eight days’ time for ‘Le Crunch’, with a first Grand Slam since 2010 in their sights.
France snatched a third-minute lead through Melvyn Jaminet’s penalty after an infringement by Josh Navidi, but Wales were swiftly back on terms when captain Dan Biggar drilled a confident reply.
Jelonch’s second international try arrived in the ninth minute as France’s snappy running rugby brought early reward, with the flanker the man to dash in on the left wing.
Jaminet booted the extras, and Wales, who lost Tomos Williams to an early injury, struggled to contain the blue shirts for a spell, until a Biggar penalty closed the gap.
With 10 wins in their last 11 Six Nations games at the Principality Stadium, Wales were not giving this up early and began to impose pressure on the French try-line.
The hosts lost Gareth Thomas to a head blow and were twice penalised after getting close to the French posts.
But Wales’ luck changed with the award of a penalty in front, which Biggar drove through the uprights to snip France’s lead to one point at the break.
Jaminet nudged France into a four-point lead once more with another penalty, but the game remained in the balance, the vaunted visitors struggling to put it away.
Jonathan Davies fumbled as Wales looked to go for the line down the left, but still the home side kept pressing.
Jaminet missed a late chance to boost France’s lead when his long-range kick drifted wide, but Wales could not take advantage of that let-off.
Faletau shows his value
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau missed the start of the championship but was back for the clash with England last time out, and here he was outstanding in the first half, making eight tackles and carrying the ball for a team-high 31 metres by the break.
It was Faletau’s pass in the second half, after a Biggar kick, that Davies could not safely gather, and that was as close as Wales came to a try.
Formidable French show their mettle
This showed France at their most resilient, against a Wales team who have been ravaged by injury but have pride in abundance.
Going into this game, Les Bleus had not won consecutive games away to Wales since winning their first four such clashes in the Six Nations between 2000 and 2006. They have put two together in a row now, however, after adding this to a 27-23 victory in 2020.
This was a fourth win from four in the 2022 Six Nations and a massive step towards championship glory.
What’s next?
The championship wraps up on Saturday, March 19, when France have a tantalising finale in Paris against England, while Wales host Italy.
