France vs Wales LIVE RESULT: Hosts absolutely DOMINATE and score SEVEN TRIES as Wales fall to yet another poor defeat
THE Six Nations is BACK - and France have got off to an absolutely DOMINANT start.
Les Bleus put SEVEN tries past a hapless Wales defence in a one-sided clash in Paris.
In front of their home crowd, France scored 43 unanswered points as Warren Gatland's team fell to a SEVENTH consecutive Six Nations defeat.
Wales lost all five of their matches last year and their last game of the 2023 tournament.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below...
Long campaign lies ahead
Wales will be looking to make massive improvements as they start preparing for the rest of the tournament:
Italy vs Wales (Stadio Olimpico) 8th February
Wales vs Ireland (Millennium Stadium) 22nd February
Scotland vs Wales (Murrayfield Stadium) 8th March
Wales vs England (Millennium Stadium) 15th March
Les Bleus focus on future challenges
Havig swept Wales aside this evening, Fabien Galthie and his team will now look at their upcoming fixtures in the tournament:
England vs France (Twickenham) 8th February
Italy vs France (Stadio Olimpico) 23rd February
Ireland vs France (Aviva Stadium) 8th March
France vs Scotland (Parc des Princes) 15th March
Tough future lays ahead
Things will no doubt get a worse before they get better for Wales.
They are investing in youth, trying to build for the future.
Having to do their development on the pitch, due to their lack of academy, is a real baptism of fire.
It will take some time before the fans start seeing it bearing any fruit.
Parc des Princes welcomes back Six Nations
After Les Bleus were forced to travel around the country last campaign, it was good to have the electric atmosphere of their games at home again.
Parc des Princes was a cauldron of noise from start to finish.
It is a daunting place to visit and another factor that makes this French side most peoples' favourites to win the Six Nations title.
Coach beaming with defensive display
Shaun Edwards will be more than happy with today's performance.
It is rare in modern rugby that you see sides keep a clean sheet and his Les Bleus defensive line seemed like a wall often to Wales.
It will be bitter sweet for the former Welsh coach but his duties with France are still strengthening them in all areas of the pitch.
Leading by example for Les Bleus
Grégory Alldritt put in another fantastic display for France at Parc des Princes this evening.
His work allows Antoine Dupont to run the game and even after the French talisman left the field, he continued to push his side forward.
The match was perfectly topped off for Alldritt when he scored his try as Les Bleus crushed the Welsh challenge.
Gatland needs players ready to go war
One player who epitomises the dogged spirit of Welsh rugby is Tommy Reffell.
He was introduced to the game early from the bench and it gives the team a lift like they have an extra two players.
Wales' head coach opted not to have him in the starting fifteen but he needs to find a place for him going forward.
Seeing him do his thing and give 110% for every minute shows the levels they young players need to be at.
WRU need to take it on the chin
When it comes to pointing fingers for the position Welsh rugby is in, it is not the players or coaches that need take any blame.
What we are seeing now on the pitch is a result of funding cuts leading to the scrapping of the Welsh academy.
It produced so much talent that the whole infrastructure has crumbled since it has been stopped.
Something needs to drastically change if they are going to return to being the side who would win Six Nations titles, grand slams and triple crowns.
The organisation have let the fans down, yet such is the passion in them, they continue to turn up to support their country.
Welsh lacking punch in forward line
The big decision for Warren Gatland for his side's next game is what he can change to improve them in the final third.
It was easy for all to see that when they got ito dangerous areas, they really lacked penetration.
When they face Italy, this must change, or they face the embarassment of picking up this season's wooden spoon.
Return of the king to Paris
What can you say about Antoine Dupont that has not already been said?
His vision, rugby brain and ability are just a joy to behold.
There isn't a rugby team in the world who can live with him when he is on top form.
He makes such a difference to this French team when he is in it and will make them a very different proposition this campaign.
Les Bleus have got their talisman again and he is looking in formidable form already.
FT: France 43-0 Wales
For all the Welsh fans gathering in pubs all over the country, it has been a very sobering night.
They knew what to expect from this young Welsh side, there will be plenty more pain before it bares any fruit.
But when you simply are not anywhere near the levels to stop what a side have to offer, it can really hit home so much more.
Not scoring a single point will be a bigger concern and something Gatland will need to work on before they travel to Rome for their next match.
FT: France 43-0 Wales
The French kick the ball out to end the game.
It has been a dominant display from Les Bleus in Paris.
Wales have failed to register a single point in this match.
France 43-0 Wales
77. This is turning into a bit of a hiding for the Welsh.
As the forwards look to go in on the tries, Alldritt goes over to rub more salt in the wound.
It has been an impressive display from Les Bleus.
Try - Grégory Alldritt (France)
France 38-0 Wales
75. The TMO review has upgraded the yellow card awarded.
That will have a big knock-on effect as he will miss their trip to Twickenham now next weekend.
Wales are working the phases, trying to carve out a try-scoring opportunity.
Red card - Romain Ntamack (France)
France 38-0 Wales
73. Tompkins charges towards the line but is held up on his feet by the French defence.
It all kicks off between both sets of players a tensions rise, leading from that yellow card challenge moments earlier.
Wales just couldn't get to ground there to make the score.
France 38-0 Wales
71. Ntamack is given a yellow card for a high challenge.
The ball had gone and he clattered the Welsh player in the head and it will go to an off-field review.
That one could well be upgraded to red.
France 38-0 Wales
69. We have just seen France in top gear to score that try.
Backwards passes, late hand-offs and then the ball out wide to the man in space to score an easy try.
It is going to be difficult for anyone to resist them on this form.
They miss the chance to add more points with the conversion.
Try - Émilien Gailleton (France)
France 33-0 Wales
67. The referee feels the need to speak to the Welsh captain.
He said that his player came in from the side, which was why he gave the penalty, and he does not like how Adams spoke to him.
The Welshman felt there was a high tackle resulting in a bloodied nose.
France 33-0 Wales
65. Wales are just going through the motions in possession.
Trying to punch through what seems an impenetrable French side.
It seems it is all about holding onto the ball and running the clock down in this game now.
France 33-0 Wales
63. Les Bleus have such huge players at their disposal here they are able to just drive towards the line every time they come forward.
They may even be able to give the infamous 'bomb squad' a run for their money.
Wales would quite happily take that final whistle right now.
France 33-0 Wales
61. It is a weird one to look at the scoreline here.
You cannot say that France are not deserving the points they have scored but you could also say this Welsh performance is better than the result they are heading towards.
That is the headache Gatland needs to work as he tries to create something for the future with this young side.