Wales 19 - 10 France: North stars in Welsh win

Wales wing George North celebrates scoring his side's try in the win against France. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

England will reclaim pole position if they beat Ireland today, but Wales are also firmly in the mix for Six Nations silverware after wing George North’s second-half breakaway try underpinned an unspectacular 19-10 success.

Stand-off Dan Biggar converted North’s touchdown and kicked four penalties for a 14-point haul, while his opposite number Jules Plisson replied with a penalty and Les Bleus skipper Guilhem Guirado claimed an 80th-minute try that Francois Trinh-Duc converted as Wales prevailed at the Principality Stadium.

North’s 46th-minute score – his 25th Wales try – calmed the home team’s nerves after their first-half territorial supremacy was not backed up by points during a game that will not live long in the memory. Ultimately, it was a case of job done, with Wales’ defence again proving world class as France were repelled during a lengthy period of second-half pressure, before Guirado pounced. In the last six Tests between the countries, Les Bleus have scored just two tries.

With their unbeaten Six Nations record ended this season, French title aspirations also look over, but Wales remain masters of their own destiny and they will head to Twickenham on 21 March, five months after a 28-25 victory there contributed hugely to England’s painful World Cup demise.

Wales made a purposeful, fast start, dominating territory and moving ball through the hands with impressive frequency. Biggar should have put the hosts ahead after nine minutes, but he sent an angled penalty chance wide of the target, and then Plisson followed suit from longer range after prop Rob Evans was penalised for collapsing a scrum.

The home side went ahead through a Biggar penalty early in the second quarter when France lock Paul Jedrasiak appeared to take out Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau off the ball, but referee Wayne Barnes decided on no further action.

France’s attacking game was restricted in so many ways, and Wales just had to be patient as they strung together several threatening passages of play, utilising centre Jonathan Davies’ powerful midfield running and full-back Liam Williams’ aerial excellence.

A second Biggar penalty doubled Wales’ lead, yet France halved the deficit through a Plisson short-range strike after Barnes made use of big screen plays before ruling an illegal tackle by Dan Lydiate.

Les Bleus flanker Antoine Burban briefly left the field for a head injury assessment after being flattened following a Sam Warburton charge, and Wales ended the half camped close to the French line following an electrifying Gareth Davies break that set up a series of attacking scrums.

But France survived intense pressure, and they trooped off just three points adrift after their opponents had struggled to convert pressure into points.

Biggar put Wales 9-3 ahead just three minutes into the second period following a dangerous Jonathan Danty tackle on Alex Cuthbert, although once again the home side will feel they might have had more of a scoring return, but were guilty of taking poor options and making one pass too many.

The opening try, though, finally arrived when a French attack broke down in midfield, Jonathan Davies kicked cleverly into space and a sprinting North, who initially miskicked with his right foot when he attempted to tap the ball over the line, still had time to gather and touch down.

Biggar added the conversion to open up a 13-point advantage, but just when there appeared no way back for France, they established prolonged pressure through their forwards that tested Wales’ defence and ensured they retained a fighting chance.

For long enough, the Wales defence – as it had done on several recent occasions against France – held firm, and danger was averted entering the final quarter.

The game signed, sealed and settled – despite the late Guirado try – Wales now move on to Twickenham and a clash against their fiercest rivals that will not be for the faint-hearted.