Max Boyce’s Hymns and Arias have long been a traditional accompaniment to Wales’ home match warm-up and the legendary figure was back for more on Sunday.
Boyce changed his usual routine of singing about a trip to Twickenham with France in town and couldn’t resist poking fun at the absence of Les Bleus captain Antoine Dupont.
Warren Gatland’s team seemed to pay attention to Boyce’s presence and played a fast and open game. In what was the ultimate clash of styles, Wales risked everything. But it wasn’t worth it.
Wales, as they have done throughout the Six Nations, took a hit and were in contention to begin with as they took advantage of a terrible French defence. But in the end, he won power.
Cardiff Airport was packed with Les Bleus fans on Saturday and they cheered loudly inside the Principality Stadium as they celebrated what was a much-needed victory. France’s brutal physicality was enough for them here.
Wales were left dismantled by France’s brutal approach in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.
France achieved a dominant 45-24 Six Nations victory at the Principality Stadium
Max Boyce’s Hymns and Arias have long been a traditional accompaniment to Wales’ home match warm-up and the legendary figure was back for more on Sunday.
Wales, despite all their efforts, scored 45 points and five tries. They have now lost 11 of their last 12 games in the Six Nations. They host Italy on Saturday looking to avoid finishing last in the table for the first time since 2003. After the Azzurri’s victory over Scotland, victory is far from guaranteed. France will finish its tournament at home against England.
After Boyce warmed up the crowd with his classic pregame song, emotions went to another level. Firstly, tribute was paid to the late former Welsh great Barry John. Then, Craig Maxwell and his family threw the ball onto the field.
Maxwell, who was diagnosed with inoperable and incurable lung cancer in 2022, had carried the ball across Wales on a charity walk. He has raised more than £1 million to support research and development in the cancer pathway in Wales despite his illness. It has been a remarkable effort.
If Wales needed late inspiration on the eve of kick-off, they needed to look no further than Maxwell and his family. Against a giant French team, they also started well after losing starting hooker Ryan Elias to a late injury withdrawal. Elliot Dee came on to start in his 50th international match.
Sam Costelow and Thomas Ramos exchanged penalties early. Wales’ kick came after finer work in the contact area from Tommy Reffell. Then, in an incident that would surely have infuriated French defense coach Shaun Edwards, Rio Dyer pounced. The attempt came out of nowhere.
The Welsh aircraft carriers were being pushed back. But, from midfield, Dyer did a brilliant job of detecting that the blue shirts were not defending and broke through. Dyer ran onto the line and Costelow converted. Ramos reduced the French deficit after a monstrous scrum decimated the Welsh pack.
It was an ominous sign. The power of France was obvious. But even after poor performances in 2024 so far and with star Dupont still in the sevens circuit, they are still a good team. Gael Fickou finished off a fluid team move, ducking a Costelow tackle attempt to score in the corner.
Ramos improved the try. The large number of French fans in Cardiff erupted in noise, although they did not do so for long. Edwards’s already gloomy mood would soon have taken a turn for the worse. Poorer French defense allowed Owen Watkin to advance through midfield. Watkin stayed calm and found Tomos Williams supporting him. Williams galloped to the line.
Warren Gatland’s team falter after bright start
The attempts kept coming. Star man Nolann Le Garrec hit back for France, firing from a ruck near the line. Le Garrec followed his attempt with a surprising reverse long pass.
France led by three at halftime. But they couldn’t stop Wales from attacking and unloading.
Boyce’s open play suited Gatland’s men and was exactly what France did not want. Williams participated again with Costelow in his next attempt.
Joe Roberts, in only his second cap, was the scorer. France did not help itself with a couple of forward passes. Surprisingly, Roberts and Watkin had been chosen instead of George North and Nick Tompkins in the Welsh midfield.
Referee Luke Pearce communicated with them impressively in their own language. The desperate Welsh defense somehow kept France at bay.
But before the posts they opted for one penalty instead of three. It seemed to have worked wonders. Phase after phase of raw power saw France cross the line. Although Pearce tried, television official Ian Tempest decided the ball had been wasted.
Georges-Henri Colombe crosses the line in Cardiff as France score their third try of the match
France dominated physical defensive battle against Wales in Six Nations clash
France reset for another scrum but were penalized for pressing early. It allowed Wales to escape.
The respite was temporary. He returned to France, but despite Damian Penaud sweeping down the wing, this time he opted for the three points thanks to Ramos. It seemed like a strange decision.
Before the kick, Gatland had replaced Williams and Costelow with Gareth Davies and Ioan Lloyd.
Tomos Williams got Wales off to a flying start by scoring his team’s second try against France.
Thousands of Les Blues fans traveled from France for the decisive match
Once again, it seemed like a strange move. Now it was all of France. They had physical dominance and a monopoly on possession.
Finally came a third French try, which had been coming forever. Georges-Henri Colombe was the one who achieved it. He gave France control and the match was won minutes later.
Romain Taofifenua charged down Davies’ attempted clearance to score and that was it, with the relentless Ramos making the best of both attempts. France’s brilliant supporters had the last laugh.
Maxime Lucu completed the scoring with the clock in red while La Marseillaise and not Hymns and Arias – resounded in the home of Welsh rugby.