Damian Penaud (two), Jonathan Danty, Uini Atonio, Gael Fickou score tries as France secure bonus-point Six Nations win vs Wales; an England win over Ireland could hand France title; George North, Bradley Roberts and Tomos Williams score for Wales

Jonathan Danty and Damian Penaud notched tries as France proved too strong at home to Wales

France closed out their 2023 Six Nations campaign with a 41-28 bonus-point defeat of Wales in Paris to keep the pressure on Ireland ahead of their game against England in Dublin.

Wales started brightly, taking the lead through a George North try, but they were largely blown away thereafter, as France scored five tries through wing Damian Penaud (two), inside-centre Jonathan Danty, tighthead Uini Atonio and outside-centre Gael Fickou.

France full-back Thomas Ramos also kicked flawlessly, landing all five conversions and two penalties at the Stade de France, while Wales did notch further tries when far back on the scoreboard through replacement hooker Bradley Roberts, replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams and wing Rio Dyer.

Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 5pm, looking to seal a fourth Grand Slam success in their history, after previous efforts in 1948, 2009 and 2018.

Wales started the better, and made all the running in the Test for the opening eight minutes, and that pressure was deservedly rewarded when North ran in for the first try untouched by the posts, after a rolling maul had been stopped just short.

George North celebrates after scoring Wales’ opening try against France

France hit straight back, though, with virtually their first attack of the match as Romain Ntamack caused havoc to race through the middle of Wales and offload for Antoine Dupont, who then produced a long pass for Penaud to collect and score.

France struck back almost straight away through Penaud’s first

Ramos converted exquisitely to level the contest, and though Wales were back onto the front foot soon after, a France scrum penalty won against the head on their own 22 allowed them to clear. But Les Bleus were soon fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a Fickou tip-tackle on Alun Wyn Jones, which referee Nic Berry decreed as a penalty-only offence.

On 26 minutes, France hit the front as Ramos struck through the uprights after a superb piece of breakdown play from hooker Julian Marchand brought a penalty. And before long, an error in communication between Wales half-backs Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb ultimately resulted in Ramos kicking his second three-pointer, after Les Bleus forced another scrum penalty.

France full-back Thomas Ramos kicked superbly on the day

Six minutes from the half-time break, France ruthlessly struck at pace for their second try as centre Danty slid in after France had dragged Wales one side and then the other, with Rio Dyer no match as the final defender for the physical midfielder.

Jonathan Danty grabbed France’s second try in the first half

In a role reversal of the start to the opening period, France started well on top at the beginning of the second, with Atonio striking out wide for Les Bleus’ third try just four minutes after the break, bouncing off Louis Rees-Zammit to get over.

Five minutes later, the bonus-point was secured as Fickou just had too much pace and power for Wales’ defensive line, sprinting in to ground France’s fourth try of the day.

Gael Fickou broke away to score the bonus-point clinching fourth France try

Wales showed spirit to hit back through tries from Roberts and Williams, both sniping well to get over from close range, and France were never unduly troubled as far as the result was confirmed.

Indeed it was Penaud who seemed to have had the final say, touching down for his second try in the corner after another quick attack across the pitch and a lovely Ramos offload, only for Dyer to speed in for a fourth Wales try in the final play.

What’s next?

France complete their 2023 Six Nations campaign with a record of four wins and a single defeat, having beaten England at Twickenham, Italy in Rome, as well as Scotland and Wales at the Stade de France, but lost to Ireland in Dublin.

Fabien Galthie’s side are next in international action in August for their Rugby World Cup warm-up Tests, with two games announced so far vs Scotland (August 5) at Murrayfield, and Scotland (August 12) at a venue in France as yet unconfirmed.

Wales finish their campaign with four defeats from five and just avoid the Wooden Spoon, after home defeats to Ireland and England, a victory over Italy in Rome, and losses on the road to Scotland and France.

Warren Gatland’s charges have announced three Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures for August: vs England (August 5) and vs South Africa (August 19) in Cardiff, and vs England (August 12) at Twickenham.