In a dazzling display of rugby brilliance, France demolished Wales 43-0 in their opening match of the Six Nations championship on Friday night in Paris. The French side, energized by the return of captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, delivered a statement performance that reverberated across the rugby world and sent an ominous warning to their title rivals.
Dupont Conducts a French Masterclass
The star of the show was undoubtedly Antoine Dupont, making a triumphant return to the Six Nations after a year’s absence. The diminutive scrum-half pulled the strings majestically, notching a hat-trick of try assists with an array of pinpoint kicks and fizzing passes. His telepathic understanding with the electric back three of Yoram Moefana, Damian Penaud and Thomas Ramos tore the Welsh defense to shreds.
We adapted to the conditions in the rain and managed to get the bonus point, and a nice points average.
– France head coach Fabien Galthie
Unstoppable French Flair
France’s attacking prowess was on full display, carving Wales open at will with rapier-like incisions:
- Slick interplay and offloading between forwards and backs
- Searing breaks from the back three, especially Penaud and Moefana
- Flawless tactical kicking from Ramos and Dupont to turn the Welsh and force errors
Les Bleus played with a joie de vivre that had the Stade de France crowd in raptures. This French side, brimming with youthful exuberance and game-breaking talent, look determined to banish the demons of their agonizing World Cup defeat on home soil last year.
Wasteful Wales Wilt Under Pressure
For Wales, this was a chastening night that dampens any optimism around the start of the Warren Gatland’s second tenure. Injuries and ill-discipline destroyed any platform they tried to build. The loss of veteran number 8 Taulupe Faletau before kickoff and center Owen Watkin early in the match severely disrupted their game plan.
Even when they did manage to breach the French 22, elementary handling errors or poor decision-making stymied their efforts. Gatland will demand a vast improvement for the visit of Scotland to Cardiff next week.
Pivotal Moments & Memorable Sights
- 13 mins: Moefana score acrobatic first try from Dupont cross-kick
- 30 mins: Red card for Pivac for high shoulder charge on Ramos
- Scintillating individual break and step from Ramos to set up Penaud try
- Macron conducts post-match lap of honor with jubilant French team
What It Means for the Six Nations
This thumping French victory threw down the gauntlet to their main championship rivals. Some mouth-watering clashes loom on the horizon:
- France travel to Twickenham to face England next weekend in a titanic tussle
- Showdowns with Ireland and Scotland will prove stern defensive examinations
- Huge points differential could be crucial if France maintain this level
On this evidence, France will take some stopping in their quest for a first Six Nations title since 2010. Their balance of flair and forward muscle, allied with the world’s premier half-back pairing in Dupont and Romain Ntamack, make them formidable foes for any opponent. The challenge for Galthie’s men is to sustain this blistering form under the blowtorch of away trips to Dublin and London.
The Last Word
On an opening night when France unfurled their full box of tricks, the 2023 Six Nations championship roared into life in spectacular fashion. Rugby romantics will hope this French renaissance flourishes further in the coming weeks. But sterner tests await the flourishing favorites, not least England ready to douse French fire at Twickenham next Saturday.
