Wales overcome France in dour affair

The win was Wales' fifth in succession over France, for whom defeat was a fifth straight in Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

Returning to the scene of their humiliation at the hands of New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final, France looked toothless against a well-marshalled Wales team which crucially prevented Les Bleus from scoring in a sustained 12-minute period of second-half pressure.

Biggar kicked four penalties, two in each half, and converted George North's second-half breakaway try. France flyhalf Jules Plisson kicked a penalty, with captain Guilhem Guirado driven over for a consolation try, converted by Francois Trinh-Duc to give the scoreline a more sympathetic glean.

Wales were also left ruing their own cutting edge, dominating first half possession and territory but failing to convert pressure into points. Plisson's shaky start was compounded when he booted a free-kick directly into touch, handing Wales an attacking line-out.

The French were penalised at a resulting ruck, but Biggar skewed the penalty. Plisson then missed a penalty of his own after Rob Evans, everywhere in the loose, was penalised for collapsing a scrum.

France paid, however, after lock Paul Jedrasiak put in a late shoulder charge on Taulupe Faletau, Biggar finally getting the scoreboard ticking.

After a huge hit by Sam Warburton saw opposite number Antoine Burban taken from the field, Plisson was caught holding on to hand Biggar a second penalty effort he made no mistake with. France came firing back, scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud linking with Fiji-born wing Virimi Vakatawa before Liam Williams and Warburton came up with crucial tackles.

Dan Lydiate, however, was penalised for a no-arms tackle, Plisson scoring France's first three points. Maxime Medard's boot prevented Wales' first try after a moment of brilliance by Gareth Davies.

The Welsh scrumhalf broke clear of the cover and maybe should have passed with an overlap on. As it was he put in a grubber to the corner, Vakatawa missing the bounce but Medard just getting a toe to the ball as Liam Williams pounced.

Biggar resumed hostilities with a third penalty early in the second period after Jonathan Danty upended Alex Cuthbert. Wales finally made their pressure pay through North.

The Northampton wing had a stroke of luck after failing to tap on a ball expertly kicked through by Jonathan Davies, but Plisson inadvertently nudged it into North's path for an easy pick-up to glide over for a welcome try, converted by Biggar.

France then enjoyed their most sustained period of pressure, lasting 12 minutes, but came away with nothing. Wales, led magnificently in defence by Warburton, foiled a series of attacking line-outs, held firm at the scrum and snuffed out a promising cross-kick that saw Medard go close.

Biggar kicked his fourth penalty to stretch the home side's lead to 19-3 after replacement prop Vincent Pelo collapsed a scrum. France had the last laugh as Guirado was driven over, Trinh-Duc converting.

Man of the match: French captain Guilhem Guirado fought a lonesome fight while his counterpart Sam Warburton along with Dan Lydiate earned their paycheck after impressive performances. However, for his sniping and mazing runs which left the French defence at sixes and sevens, Wales' scrumhalf Gareth Davies gets our nod.

Moment of the match: George North's try was comedic brilliance. Jonathan Davies puts a kick downtown to find space in behind the French defence and North goes racing after it. He attempts to kick it about six metres from the line, only to completely miss it. However, France's Jules Plisson was on hand to assist as his attempted clearance kick found the hands of North, who then made his way over the line.

Villain of the match: No individuals put their hands up this time.

Scorers:

For Wales:

Try: North

Con: Biggar

Pens: Biggar 4

For France:

Try: Guirado

Con: Trinh-Duc

Pen: Plisson

Teams:

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.

France: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Virimi Vakatawa, 13 Maxime Mermoz, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Djibril Camara, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Antoine Burban, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Alexandre Flanquart, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Vincent Pelo, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Yoann Maestri, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 Francois Trinh-Duc, 23 Gaël Fickou.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)