France started their 2025 Six Nations campaign in dominant fashion, dismantling Wales 43-0 in a record-breaking victory. The performance was as ruthless as it was impressive, with the home side running in seven tries and keeping their opponents scoreless. The only blot on an otherwise perfect evening was a red card for Romain Ntamack, who was sent off for a high tackle on Dan Edwards with ten minutes remaining. While it had little impact on this match, it could prove significant when France travel to Twickenham to face England next.
For Wales, the struggles continue. This was their 13th consecutive defeat, and it was clear from the outset that they were outmatched. Standing in the Stade de France, surrounded by fireworks and the roar of a passionate home crowd, the Welsh players looked small against the imposing backdrop. Captain Jac Morgan did his best to rally his team, but it was clear they faced an uphill battle. Within minutes, Thomas Ramos had pinned them back with a precise 50-22 kick, and Antoine Dupont powered through multiple defenders to cross the line. Tom Rogers managed to hold him up, but the respite was brief.
France kept the pressure on, capitalizing on Welsh errors. Paul Boudehent hacked the ball forward after a fumble, and though he failed to gather it cleanly, Dupont pounced on Ben Thomas as he tried to clear. A scrambling defensive effort saw Wales momentarily escape, but the French attack was relentless. Jean-Baptiste Gros was stopped just short of the line before Dupont produced a deft chip to Théo Attissogbé, who finished in the corner.
The second try came soon after, with Ramos providing a slick basketball-style pass to send Louis Bielle-Biarrey through the midfield. There were moments of promise for Wales—Tomos Williams managed to clear under pressure, and Thomas looked composed in midfield, even sending a well-judged crossfield kick towards Rogers in the French 22. But they still found themselves 14-0 down and hampered by injuries. Aaron Wainwright was forced off early, replaced by Tommy Reffell, and Owen Watkin’s departure meant an untested Dan Edwards had to step in at fly-half.
Things got worse when Evan Lloyd was sin-binned for a high tackle on Bielle-Biarrey. While he was off the field, Attissogbé added another try, set up by Dupont’s dazzling footwork. Bielle-Biarrey then notched his second, wrong-footing Rogers from a standing start after a rolling maul. By halftime, France had secured a bonus point, already leading 28-0.
The second half had the feel of a controlled training session for the French, who never let up. Wales won a rare penalty for offside in the French 22, but any hopes of breaking their duck were crushed when the French pack obliterated their scrum. Coach Fabien Galthié made six substitutions in the 50th minute, and the refreshed forwards promptly drove over from a lineout for a fifth try.
Ntamack, before his dismissal, produced a pinpoint crossfield kick to set up Émilien Gailleton for the sixth. Grégory Alldritt added the seventh after Wales went down to 14 men again, this time with Freddie Thomas in the sin-bin.
Wales battled to the end, but their efforts were in vain. It was the first time they had ever failed to score in a Six Nations match, a statistic that will sting. Even when they thought they had mauled over for a consolation try, tensions boiled over, leading to a scuffle. The team is improving, but the gap between them and France is vast. Since their last victory in Paris in 2019, the French have surged ahead, leaving Wales struggling to keep up.
