France Vs. Wales | Guinness Six Nations | Three Key Takeaways From Paris
France Vs. Wales | Guinness Six Nations | Three Key Takeaways From Paris
France crushed Wales 43-0 in their Six Nations opener, with Dupont starring and Les Bleus delivering a defensive masterclass in a dominant statement win.
France began its 2025 Guinness Six Nations campaign in ruthless fashion, crushing Wales 43-0 in Paris on Friday night.
It was a performance that not only showcased France's attacking brilliance, it also underlined its defensive resilience.
France became just the second team in Six Nations history to keep Wales scoreless.
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With Antoine Dupont making his long-awaited return to the competition, and Gregory Alldritt leading by example, Les Bleus sent a statement of intent to their rivals.
Here are the three key takeaways from a remarkable night in Saint-Denis:
Dupont Dominance
Much of the pre-match focus was on Antoine Dupont, who was making his first Six Nations appearance since 2023 after opting out of last year’s tournament to prepare for the Olympics with France’s rugby sevens squad.
Any doubts about whether he could immediately regain his influence in the 15-a-side game were swiftly erased.
From the opening whistle, the scrum-half dictated the tempo, pulling the strings in attack and making his presence felt all over the pitch.
His ability to read the game was evident in the opening try, as he spotted space out wide and executed a pinpoint kick-pass for Theo Attissogbe to score. That moment of brilliance set the tone for what was to come, as France’s attacking fluency revolved around their inspirational No. 9.
It wasn’t just his creativity that caught the eye - Dupont’s leadership was equally crucial.
With former captain and key leader Charles Ollivon absent, he stepped up, ensuring France maintained its intensity and focus throughout. His defensive contributions were just as impressive, with a key jackal turnover inside his own 22 stopping an early Welsh attack.
By the time he was substituted early in the second half, Dupont had already left an indelible mark on the contest.
France may have other talented halfbacks in its ranks, but this performance was a reminder that there is no one quite like Dupont.
A Defensive Masterclass
While France’s attack will grab most of the headlines, the team's defensive discipline was just as significant. Keeping Wales scoreless in a Six Nations match is no small feat.
This time, it was a far more dominant display.
France’s defensive shape was outstanding, with its aggressive line speed and well-coordinated press forcing Wales into errors time and again. Even when the visitors built pressure, particularly early in the second half, Les Bleus refused to buckle.
The moment that summed up their resilience came in the 47th minute.
Wales went through more than 10 phases just meters from the French try line but simply could not find a way through. Each time the Welsh edged closer, France’s defensive wall held firm, forcing a handling error that ended the attack.
It was a night of frustration for Warren Gatland’s side, which enjoyed 50% possession but lacked the cutting edge to break down the hosts.
Wales’ best chance came when Nick Tompkins powered over the line in the 72nd minute, only to be held up by a swarm of French defenders. That summed up the gulf in class between the two sides.
A Title-Winning Statement?
With Ireland and England both widely tipped as title favorites heading into the tournament, France’s performance was a timely reminder that the French still very much are in the mix. This was not just a win, it was a statement.
Alldritt, who was named Man of the Match after a commanding display at No. 8, acknowledged the team’s ambitions post-match, stating: "We want to win it, but we need to stay humble. Ireland are really strong, England are coming back as well."
His words reflect the mentality of a squad that knows there still is a long way to go, but on the evidence of Friday night, France will take some stopping.
France was clinical in attack, dominant in defense and showed an intensity that suggests the team means business this year.
France's next challenge will be a much tougher test, but if the group can replicate this level of performance, it is hard to see many teams standing in their way.
After a record-breaking opening night, France has put the rest of the Six Nations on notice.
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