France 41 – 28 Wales

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, 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.

More to follow…

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.