Wales secure fifth consecutive win over France

Andrew Baldock 07:52 27/02/2016
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  • Marching on: Wales' Dan Lydiate.

    Dan Biggar booted 14 points to help steer Wales to victory over France in the Six Nations on Friday night and keep their title hopes alive.

    Warren Gatland’s team were held to a 16-all draw by the Irish before seeing off Scotland 27-23 in their opening two matches, but dominated a France side also coming into the Cardiff game undefeated after wins over Italy (23-21) and Ireland (10-9).

    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. Jonathan Davies chipped through for North to leave a lumbering defence trailing in his wake, but the winger’s dribbling skills almost let him down close to the line.

    Wales were also left ruing their own cutting edge, dominating first-half possession and territory but failing to convert pressure into points. Their best chance to score a try came right at the end of the half when Gareth Davies broke through the French defence but no teammate was able to gather his kick.

    France fly-half Jules Plisson kicked a penalty, with skipper Guilhem Guirado driven over for a consolation try converted by Francois Trinh-Duc to give the scoreline a more sympathetic glean.

    France huffed and puffed for so long in the Wales 22 that they took the edge in the overall possession stakes. But the French creativity of old was missing as the Wales defence held firm to keep their 13-point lead in tact.

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