France 43-0 Wales: Antoine Dupont dazzles in Six Nations opener with hat-trick of first-half assists

Jack Wilkinson

@jacktwilkinson

Antoine Dupont conjures up France to crushing victory over Wales in Paris with three attempt assists; Wales saved from scoring in Six Nations match for first time as seven France tries go unanswered; Wales journey to Italy for essential conflict

Antoine Dupont starred as France thrashed Wales in Friday’s Six Nations opener in Paris

Antoine Dupont stole the present on his Six Nations return as France inflicted a thirteenth straight defeat on Wales with a crushing 43-0 opening-night victory in Paris.

After guiding France to rugby sevens gold finally summer time’s Olympics, the Stade de France was as soon as once more rejoicing on the brilliance of Dupont, who assisted three of the 4 first-half tries wingers Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey shared.

Dupont’s mesmeric opportunism featured cross-field kicks and surgical dissections of the Welsh defence, who started their daunting project within the French capital positively however had been finally compelled into submission as they failed to attain a degree for the primary time in a Six Nations sport.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey dives over the road to attain France’s fourth attempt

Theo Attissogbe rating two first-half tries for France

With a bonus-point secured earlier than half-time and the foundations for victory laid, Dupont’s cameo would final 50 minutes, earlier than second-half tries from Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton and Gregory Alldritt hammered residence France’s dominance.

The one blot on an in any other case good night time for Fabien Galthie’s aspect was the dismissal of fly-half Romain Ntamack, who will miss Saturday’s conflict in opposition to England after he noticed a yellow card upgraded to pink for a excessive problem on reverse quantity Ben Thomas.

Wales weren’t anticipated to trigger an upset in Paris, however the method through which Friday’s chastening defeat descended into an ill-disciplined and toothless efficiency will increase concern forward of subsequent week’s crunch showdown in opposition to Italy in Rome.

Morgan: Wales can declare ‘vital’ Italy win

Jac Morgan has backed Wales to finish their shedding streak in opposition to Italy

It was a demoralising Six Nations begin for Wales, who completed solely a degree in need of equalling their all-time worst defeat within the event of 54-10 in opposition to Eire 23 years in the past.

Captain Jac Morgan conceded France had been the higher group however was adamant Wales had proven they had been able to arresting their 13-game shedding streak in Saturday’s crunch conflict in opposition to Italy.

“It was a tough night,” he instructed ITV Sport. “Obviously disappointed with the result, we knew how France would be, but our discipline let us down. France capitalised.

“Typically in assault we weren’t correct and did not take alternatives. France will punish you.

“We have to stay tight as a group now and keep on building. Game against Italy is significant now. We have the talent to win that game. We’ll keep improving.”

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