Wales suffered a crushing defeat against France in their Six Nations opener in Paris, with a final score of 43-0 in favour of the hosts. The French team registered tries from Theo Attissogbe (twice), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (twice), Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton and Gregory Alldritt, securing a dominant victory. This match marked a historic moment as Wales failed to score any points for the first time in Six Nations history. Despite the disappointing result, let’s explore how each Welsh player fared in their performance against France.
Liam Williams was given a rating of 5, as he struggled to showcase his skills and faced defensive challenges throughout the game. Tom Rogers, rated at 6, started strongly with a crucial try-saving tackle but was unable to maintain momentum. Owen Watkin, who received a rating of 5, showed promise before leaving the field due to injury. Nick Tompkins also received a rating of 5, as he faced constant pressure and was unable to ignite Wales’ attack effectively.
Josh Adams, rated at 5, faced defensive vulnerabilities, while Ben Thomas, also rated at 5, displayed attacking potential but struggled in the second half. Tomos Williams, rated at 5, had a challenging game behind a struggling pack. Gareth Thomas, with a rating of 6, showcased defensive proficiency but faced difficulties against France’s formidable forwards.
Evan Lloyd, rated at 5, demonstrated strength but faced controversy with a high tackle. Henry Thomas, who received a rating of 6, performed well in scrums despite the overall pack’s struggle. Will Rowlands, rated at 5, worked hard but faced physical challenges throughout the match. Dafydd Jenkins, also rated at 5, put in a solid defensive effort but missed a crucial tackle leading to a French try.
James Botham, with a rating of 5, contributed both offensively and defensively but couldn’t impact the game significantly. Notably, Jac Morgan received the highest rating of 8, showcasing exceptional work rate and leadership on the field. Unfortunately, Aaron Wainwright had to leave the game early due to a facial injury, receiving a non-applicable rating.
Among the replacements, Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, and Keiron Assiratti contributed positively, with Smith impressing in scrums. The Welsh team faced a challenging night in Paris, with notable efforts from individual players despite the overall outcome. As Wales reflects on this defeat, they will undoubtedly seek to regroup and refocus for their upcoming matches in the Six Nations championship.