Only five years ago, the victories about France were expected by the Welsh Rugby public. How fast things can change.
No one, outside the chief coach Warren Gatland, believed that Wales could win this opening save at 2025 six nations. In almost all quarters, a hammer was expected. And so, he demonstrated.
Brutal statistics are that this, predictably, was a 13th straight test for red men. While it was not a record defeat of the six nations, although only by a single point, it was the first time that Wales could not score in a championship game, since it expanded from five to six teams in 2000.
Before this, Wales was the last 'related' in any competitive party in Australia in 2007. The final result showed the Gulf in class and international between the two parties. But in many ways, it could have been much worse for Wales.
Although the score suggested otherwise, sometimes they were competitive. But what the game showed was that Gatland does not have the physicality in his team that is really required for problems, much less defeat, the best teams in the world rugby. Wales had a lot of possession, but they simply could not make its way.
What Gatland needs is some strikers who are able to cross the gain line and, therefore, provide impulse. Unfortunately it is missing in that area at this time.
Theo Attissogbe scored two attempts when France hit Wales in the first game of the six nations
Antoine Dupont produced an encouraging exhibition for France, who inflicted misery in Wales
Wales was discouraged since they were thoroughly beaten in France Stade
France was not at its peak. But they were still too good for Wales, scoring seven attempts, and how Gatland and their staff will advance from here it will be difficult to say the least.
The turbulence experienced by some fanatics of Wales on his Friday flight to Paris was nothing compared to the trip full of potholes that most of the assumptions were coming to his team.
Rugby Welsh supporters went to Paris in hope, not to expectations. Alcohol was undoubtedly flowing, and most of them agreed a rigid drink (or five) to prepare. A strident stage of Stade de France faced Gatland's young players.
It represented a significant step for people like Hooker Evan Lloyd, half of the flight Ben Thomas and the Wing Tom Rogers. France were without first choice holders Charles Ollivon, Thibaud Flament, Gael Fickou and Damian Penaud, but the strength of their rugby ecosystem is the envy of any other nation. Les Bleus chief coach Fabien Gallehie can resort to a variety of talents, but his players began slowly.
The brilliant work of Tomas Williams and Rogers prevented Antoine Dupont from scoring almost instantly through a quickly taken penalty. In the melee combat, not 8 Aaron Wainwright received an unpleasant blow and left the field, the blood leaked a head injury. Tommy Reffell, his replacement, immediately relieved the pressure on Wales by gaining a penalty of breakdown.
Opening 10 for those of Welsh persuasion was undoubtedly positive, especially with such hope prior to the party. Gatland's men showed intention and not little physical. They had a lot of possession.
But, perhaps they were guilty of exaggerating sometimes and from such a situation, France opened the scoring. Dupont kicked Wing Theo Attissogbe. Dupont's vision and execution were not surprising given his state as the best in the world. From there, Louis Bielle-Barrey did two.
Suddenly, despite the causes of joy, Wales was 14-0 below. Gatland was not helped by injuries. The Owen Watkin center was limited, forcing Thomas, who had started well, to move from 10 to 12. Half of flies, Dan Edwards, reached a debut in the test. Talk about a baptism of fire. Wainwright did not return.
It was a disappointing start for the six -nations campaign for the Warren Gatland side
Louis Bielle-Barrey scored two attempts during an impressive performance by France
Thomas Ramos contributed to France's victory when his team surpassed Wales
Karon Assireti and Josh Adams (R) show their disappointment after the defeat of Wales
Lloyd was sent to the garbage without for a high Tackle on Bielle-Barrey and France put the game to bed. Dupont put Liam Williams with an even more scandalous class and put it on a dish for Attissogbe again before Bielle-Barrey assured that both house wings ended up with doubles in the first half.
Gatland replaced his entire first row at the beginning of the second half in an attempt to inject fresh legs and deal with the gigantic and upper physicality of France. The physical blow of Wainwright and the absence here of Taulupe Faletau with a knee injury means that Gatland has big problems in No 8 looking towards the crash of the round with Italy. That game is a must for Wales.
Losing and Gatland will probably leave at the end of the championship with a second consecutive wooden spoon in the cards. In the other training box, Gallthie knew that the game was over. Fortunately for Wales, but not for the neutrals, Dupont was removed in a series of substitutions, probably taking into account the meeting with England.
He did not prevent one of Gallthie's new faces, Hooker Julien Marchand, to be conducted by the fifth attempt in France. For the first time at night, Thomas Ramos could not convert. The captain of Wales, Jac Morgan, was now repeatedly warned by the bad discipline of his team. It was not a surprise really given the pressure for Wales was low.
It meant that not wanting to give up another yellow card, the competitiveness of the visual side in the breakdown, understandably, hesitated a touch. The result? Faster French ball speed. Another replacement, Émilien Gailleton, did six. Then came a moment of drama that, although it did not change the result here, could have serious implications of six nations. Half of France in France, Romain Ntamack, was initially yellow carded with 10 minutes for a shoulder at Thomas's head.
But the dangerous challenge was then updated through the bunker system to a red, which means that Ntamack is likely to lose his team's game with England. No 10 now faces a possible prohibition of two or three games for its blow, which is a real blow to the ambitions of the title of France. Even without Ntamack in the field, there was still time for the hosts to inflict a final blow to Wales with the Gregory Alldritt game player completing the scoreboard.