Six Nations 2021 player ratings: France 32 - 30 Wales

Arthur Vincent and Brice Dulin celebrate after France’s stunning 32-30 win over Wales

Credit: Getty Images

What. A. Game. Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam dream was ended in dramatic fashion as an overtime try from Brice Dulin secured a breathtaking 32-30 win for France.

A scintillating match from start to finish was all the Saturday night entertainment we could ask for in a game for the ages.

Seven tries were run in on a night of agony for Wales but ecstasy for Les Bleus as their title hopes remain in the balance.

Red cards, sin bins, offloads - we had it all as the championship goes to the wire with Scotland coming to Paris next Friday.

Here are The Flanker’s player ratings after a fantastic 80 minutes in Paris.

France:

15. Brice Dulin - 8

Struggled aerially under the high ball but put in a genius kick for the try and was electric in attack. From Phil Bennett style steps on his own goalline to finishing off the game with the match-winning try, Dulin was brilliant with the ball in hand. A match-high 89 metres made for his side.

14. Teddy Thomas - 5

Made an utterly strange offload in the first half after crabbing across the field. The mercurial winger struggled to get going in the game and get his hands on the ball. Not his best outing and hooked on 55 minutes along with a Gallic shrug.

13. Virimi Vakatawa - 7

A huge hit on Louis Rees-Zammit to stop an overlap first half was backed up with an all-action display. Popped up in the line many times with 14 big carries. Looked to get his arms free for offloads and was a handful all game.

12. Gael Fickou - 6

Tried to unlock the red line with his dancing feet but was marshalled well by Wales. It was more his defensive work that impressed with 12 tackles for France in a big screening effort.

11. Damien Penaud - 6

Fairly quiet night for the big wing but made one big run in the dying embers of the game that got his team moving upfield. Will have better nights but was still slippery in his five carries.

10. Mathieu Jalibert - 6

Odd kick in the first half which went dead but showed flashes of his brilliance, including a nice gather and pass for the second try. Unlucky to be forced off injured when getting a tackle on Jonathan Davies wrong.

9. Antoine Dupont - 7

Excellent support running for his try and a constant menace in the loose. Up to his usual tricks and unlocked his runners through his distribution. Another firecracker of a performance.

8. Gregory Alldritt - 9 (MOTM)

A huge effort from the Le Rochelle man in both defence and attack. Made a massive 21 tackles and was always and option to carry for his team.

7. Charles Ollivon - 8

Fantastic try-saving tackle on Gareth Davies to prevent what looked like a certain try. Lead from the front with 20 tackles as he chopped down Welsh attackers time and time again.

6. Dylan Cretin - 5

This was a quiet night for the blindside who was taken off on 51 minutes. Didn’t do anything wrong but didn’t do anything particularly eye-catching either in defence or attack.

5. Paul Willemse - 5

The giant South African born lock was having a strong game until he received a red card in the 68th minute for making contact with the eye of Wyn Jones. Can perhaps argue it wasn’t deliberate but it did not look pretty.

4. Romain Taofifenua - 6

Scored a really strong opening try after powering through from close range. Was unfortunate to be forced off early due to injury with France perhaps missing his power in the maul when defending Welsh drives.

3. Mohamed Haouas - 6

A strong scrummaging performance let down by cynical play when bringing down a driving maul that looked to be heading over the whitewash. Didn’t return after his spell on the naughty step but it was a decent display from the tighthead.

2. Julien Marchand - 7

A fantastic defensive turnover at the ruck under his own posts during the first half was the highlight of a good performance. Solid throwing into the lineout coupled with some strong defence.

1. Cyrille Baille - 7

Made 12 tackles in a good display. A few nice offloads and touches in the loose led to a solid display for the exciting front-rower. Gave his opposite number Tomas Francis a tricky night in the scrum.

Replacements:

16. Camille Chat (6) 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros (6) 18. Uini Atonio (7) 19. Swan Rebbadj (6) 20. Anthony Jelonch (6) 21. Baptiste Serin (6) 22. Romain Ntamack (7) 23. Arthur Vincent (6)

Wales:

15. Liam Williams - 7

Impressively strong in the aerial battle and carried well into contact - making 49 metres in eight powerful carries. Soft yellow card for him as he went off his feet playing Antoine Dupont and left his team in the lurch.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit - 7

Top metre maker for Wales and came off his wing to make some great carries. A brilliant display for the young wing who is getting better and better week on week. An unbelievable finish unlucky to be chalked off.

13. George North - 7

Went over the gainline and was a thorn in France’s side all night with his running. Suits playing in the 13 shirt as it gets his hand on the ball more. Was back to his powerful best tonight.

12. Jonathan Davies - 6

Quiet night for Foxy as he couldn't get his hands on the ball as much as he would have wanted. Few nice touches and runs but was a key cog in a hardworking Wales defence.

11. Josh Adams - 7

Came off his wing a lot and went looking for the ball. Earned his try which was a bit of a poacher’s effort after a fly hack through lead to him smashing over and (just about) squeezing the ball down.

10. Dan Biggar - 8

Ran an excellent angle for the opening Wales try and was solid with his out of hand kicking and distribution. Taken off on 68 minutes, a minor surprise as he was orchestrating things nicely.

9. Gareth Davies - 6

A lovely break in the first half and his try was perhaps unlucky to be chalked off after great work from Charles Ollivon in defence. Maintained the ball speed from the ruck and distributed well. A solid if unspectacular game.

8. Taulupe Faletau - 6

Carried well and made repeated dents in France line. Received a silly offside yellow card saw him sit out the remained of the match with his team hanging on for dear life.

7. Justin Tipuric - 7

Wonderful nudge through in the build-up to the third try. The openside linked backs and forwards nicely with some nice offloads and passes. A massive defensive shift with 15 tackles. 

6. Josh Navidi - 7

Got through a lot of tackles, jackals and carries in another strong display. Deserved his try after smashing through from close range. Gets through the dirty work for Wales time and time again.

5. Alun-Wyn Jones - 8

Captains performance in the thick of it and leading from the front on one leg towards the end of the game. Heroic 20 tackles in the game. The old man still has it.

4. Adam Beard - 6

Nine tackles in a decent showing for the Ospreys lock who got through his work nicely. Always gets around the field before being substituted for Cory Hill on 58 minutes after emptying the tank. Nice pass in the midfield for the third try.

3. Tomas Francis - 6

Like front row partner Jones, he struggled in a scrum that went backwards all night. Made up for it with 15 tackles and got through his defensive work.

2. Ken Owens - 7

Was 100% with his arrows in a solid lineout display and was impressive in the loose with some decent carries. Part of a scrum that struggled but another good evening for the sheriff.

1. Wyn Jones - 6

Torrid, torrid time at the scrum but got through 12 tackles in a good defensive display. Extremely mobile performance that saw him hit rucks also. 

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (6) 17. Nicky Smith (6) 18. Leon Brown (5) 19. Cory Hill (6) 20. Liam Botham (6) 21. Tomos Williams (7) 22. Callum Sheedy (6) 23. Willis Halaholo (6)