France have kept their Grand Slam aspirations alive after a comfortable victory in Cardiff but they didn’t have it all their own way as they had to come from behind. The French bench ultimately was a big factor as they were able to introduce power off the bench which Wales could not compete with.
Wales were determined to make a major statement from kick off and frustrated the French early on. French captain Manae Feleu was warned of her team’s ill-discipline inside the opening ten minutes. Referee Robbie Jenkinson was left with no choice when he sin binned Yllana Brosseau. From the resulting penalty, Wales kicked to the corner and formed a strong driving maul. The French pack couldn’t handle the pressure with a penalty try being the result with Pauline Bourdon-Sansus taking her ten minute period on the sideline also. A very costly sixty seconds for the visitors.
Despite being down 2 players, France were not willing to roll over. They showcased their power as they broke down the Welsh defence phase by phase until Madoussou Fall Raclot crashed over the line. For much of the half, France pushed for more scores but the Welsh defence was brilliant throughout as they heavily frustrated the visitors, leaving it level at the break.
France for the second week went an extra gear in the second half. Francois Ratier appeared to rally his troops in the dressing room as Les Bleus came up with their best passage of play five minutes after the restart. With quick and consistent ball carrying throughout including a line break from Bourdon Sansus, it was captain Manae Feleu who saw the gap and dotted down to give the French the lead.
Gwen Crabb made all of the headlines last week for a powerful performance against Scotland. Today was not to be her day as she was sin-binned after a head on head collision in a tackle. Straight after the card, France were able to increase their lead when Lea Murie via the help of Bourdon Sansus sprinted down the wing, shook off the tackle of Kayleigh Powell to score and put France in a comfortable position.
After an afternoon where Bourdon Sansus was getting others on the scoresheet, she decided to join them when she spotted Wales leaving no one on guard off the maul allowing her with wide open space ten metres out to secure the bonus point. It was her last action of the game in a Guinness Player of the Match performance before being replaced by Alexandra Chambon.
They added their fifth try of the afternoon when Anais Grando made a brilliant break through the middle and reached out to score. She claimed her second try two minutes from the end when the ball was sent out wide for the winger to score in the corner.
France welcome Ireland next week to Clermont-Ferrand in a rematch of their World Cup Quarter-Final which went down to the final play. Wales have a short journey across the Prince of Wales Bridge to Bristol for a meeting with the Red Roses next Saturday.