France’s dominant forward pack propelled them to a resounding 45-24 victory over Wales in the Six Nations on Sunday, keeping their hopes of a runners-up finish alive.
Fly-half Thomas Ramos contributed 20 points through his boot, while scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec impressed with his performance. France’s five tries to Wales’ three saw them move into third place in the tournament standings, level on points with Scotland.
The French bench played a crucial role in securing the victory, showcasing their depth and strength against a young and developing Wales team. Wales coach Warren Gatland acknowledged the impact of France’s replacements, stating that they “had a significant impact.”
France captain Gregory Alldritt praised his team’s forwards, emphasizing their physicality and impact in the collisions. He expressed confidence in their ability to challenge England in their upcoming match, which will determine the runners-up position behind Ireland.
France coach Fabien Galthie echoed Alldritt’s sentiments, highlighting the significance of the France-England rivalry and the importance of maintaining their intensity and tempo.
Despite their disappointing draw with Italy, Alldritt emphasized that the team responded well against Wales. He attributed their victory to their hard work and determination to make France proud.
Gatland remained optimistic despite Wales’ winless record in the tournament, emphasizing the importance of embracing the challenge and giving a strong performance at home against Italy. He acknowledged the pressure and expectation surrounding the match but expressed confidence in his young players’ ability to learn and improve.
Italy’s victory over Scotland has set up a thrilling finish to the Six Nations, with Wales facing a must-win game against the Azzurri to avoid finishing bottom. Gatland stressed the need for his team to step up and learn from their mistakes.
