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Hello and welcome to ESPNscrum's live coverage of France v Wales at the Stade de France in Paris. The stadium announcer is whipping up the crowd - as if that's really necessary! This is a big one for both teams, and we're moments away from the players coming out for the anthems.
And here come the players!
A glorious choral version of the Wales anthem - it's not often the visiting team gets such a welcoming platform.
Similarly a capella for La Marseillaise, and with standing room only available in the Stade de France, that is about as rousing an anthem as you're likely to hear!
Game time! And if the action is half as good as the anthems, we're in for a stonker.
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| 1 |
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And we're off! Wales kick off and France take possession, Camille Lopez giving an early aerial test of the Wales backs.
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| 3 |
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Good solid scrum from Wales, which may well set a tempo for them. But it's a good steal by France turns the ball over and they get a penalty for Wales not releasing.
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| 4 |
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France begin to burst forward from the lineout ball, with probably the most energetic backline movement of their championship so far. It lasts mere seconds, as France are punished for a clear obstruction. Wales get to clear their lines.
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| 6 |
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Wales earn a penalty as France go in off feet in a ruck. It's a very kickable distance and angle for Leigh Halfpenny. And through it goes!
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| 7 |
0 - 3 |
Halfpenny - penalty goal
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| 8 |
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Brilliant work from Dan Biggar, who catches his own high kick superbly on halfway. However, a knock on soon after brings up a French scrum.
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| 10 |
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Wonderful break from the scrum by Camille Lopez, who is upended in spectacular style by a tap tackle from Sam Warburton. That was absolutely superb, and so effective that France turned the ball over.
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| 11 |
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France awarded a penalty on halfway for Wales not releasing. Excellent kick to touch from Lopez, who pings the ball out deep in Wales' 22.
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| 12 |
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France grab the lineout ball and a deep crossfield kick from Lopez is batted back infield by Yoann Huget, who tried to tap it back in to Brice Dulin, but knocked on.
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| 14 |
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Chip ahead by Brice Dulin who might have been taken out there by a Welsh arm. Referee Jaco Peyper isn't interested, prompting French whistles in the crowd. Scrum Wales.
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| 16 |
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Lopez attempts to ping a crossfield kick into Wales' 22, but that's a very poorly judged kick, and George North easily claims it. Not to worry, it's a France penalty in front of the posts, which is a certain three points. And certain they were.
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| 17 |
3 - 3 |
Lopez - penalty goal
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| 18 |
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Mathieu Basteraud comes off the bench shortly before Lopez kicked that penalty, and there was a notable cheer from the crowd. Perhaps a comment on Philippe Saint-Andre's team selection there.
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| 20 |
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Wales reaching double figures in terms of phases as they recycle, but it's all very slow and not threatening much other than a patient wait for someone to infringe. Biggar eventually boots upfield and catches his own kick thanks to the wind. Wales continuing to build.
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| 21 |
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Taulupe Faletau knocks on on the right wing and France, after seeing Wales retain the ball for a few minutes, should have a chance to boot clear from this scrum.
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| 23 |
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Lopez dummies past one, past two, then thumps a kick all the way from his own 22 to Wales' equivalent. Halfpenny fields it well and returns the favour. France gather and are awarded a penalty, which Morgan Parra decides to tap quickly at halfway. Interesting decision, and a bit of invention beginning to poke through in this France team. Eventually the play is called back for another Wales infringement, and Lopez will have a boot at goal from nearly his own half. There is a strong wind behind him, mind you.
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| 24 |
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Missed, a fraction left. Lopez pulls and tugs at the plastic tee, which was obviously to blame.
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| 25 |
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Damien Chouly is held up by a choke tackle from Wales. Hmm, if you can't beat them, join them, clearly, Shaun Edwards...
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| 28 |
3 - 6 |
Wales with a chance in the France 22. The ball is shifted quickly - for a change - to North who absolutely batters into the French defence. France penalised for not rolling away and Halfpenny should add some points to Wales' tally.
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| 29 |
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That kick absolutely dissects the uprights. Could not have been more through the middle. Super kicking from Halfpenny.
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| 31 |
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Wales penalised for not releasing after a good spell in the France half. Lopez will clear. It's a match being played in huddles at the moment.
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| 33 |
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Well, now we have some controversy - and some back play! It seems that Huget has crossed for a try in the right corner, but a forward pass from Lopez is immediately called by referee Peyper. That was a strong - and absolutely correct - call. Good to see France finally beginning to zip the ball around though.
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| 36 |
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North finally gets some room to run. He bursts from halfway on the right flank into the France 22 before being brought down. Wales building some pressure before half time.
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| 37 |
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Liam Williams upended well by the French defence, and as he tries to recycle in mid-air, the ball starts bobbling around. France seize it and now they're making headway, only to turn the ball over near the halfway line. Wales go forward with Rhys Webb trying to sneak out but eventually is penalised for not releasing. France will clear their lines, and that was about as entertaining a passage of play as either side has been involved in in this championship.
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| 38 |
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In amongst that chaos was a superb hand-off from Basteraud. You can see why the crowd wanted him to play from the start, with ball skills like that.
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| 40 |
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Another penalty to France, and depending on how long Lopez takes to line this up, this is probably the last action of the first half. Tough kick from the left touchline. He's hooked that wildly - his technique has failed him on his last two kicks.
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| 40+1 |
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And that's the half! It's every bit as nip and tuck as expected, and while there have been flashes of excitement, there's going to be some bruised bodies in those dressing rooms. And there's still 40 minutes to go!
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The players are back out, and Camille Lopez will kick us off. Here goes!
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| 40 |
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And a dink kick is claimed by France, who then force Wales to concede a penalty from coming in at the side. Morgan Parra, interestingly, is going to be kicking this one. Has Lopez been demoted, or is this more to do with the angle, coming from the right flank as it is?
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| 41 |
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And he slices it across the face of the posts. Groans seep out from the stands. They've seen enough of these kicks already.
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| 42 |
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The best rugby France have produced this tournament. Fofana bursts forward with Guitoune and they exchange passes to make significant progress into the Wales 22. And just as it looks as though Basteraud is going to head menacingly for the try line, France are called back for blocking. That's a big moment, it must be said. It's a very close call on the block.
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| 45 |
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France beginning to play with panache, which should bring a smile to the face of rugby lovers everywhere. This is energetic, quick, incisive stuff, playing mainly through the carrying of Basteraud. Wales' defence is scurrying around and just about maintaining its shape.
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| 46 |
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Lopez kicks towards the touchline and Dulin can't quite get there. Out for a lineout, and Wales clear their lines.
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| 48 |
6 - 6 |
France continue to push. Guirado the latest to make an incision through the Wales defence. Whatever Saint-Andre said to France at half-time has lit a spark that many didn't think existed anymore.
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| 49 |
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Penalty France. Lopez to kick. It's in front of the posts and surely this will pull France level. Crikey, he's hit better, but the wobbler goes over. We're level in Paris, and on the balance of play, Wales can consider themselves a little fortunate to be that close.
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| 51 |
6 - 9 |
Wales' forwards take the ball into the ruck to gain some respite. They are awarded a penalty so Biggar takes the opportunity to kick high into the 22 - and it's brilliantly grabbed by North! Great leap to take that and this is a chance for Wales now. It's worked right but once Lopez intercepts, the play is called back for the earlier penalty. Halfpenny to kick at goal. A zinger. Wales lead again.
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| 52 |
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Just the four substitutes at once for France...
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| 53 |
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Lopez's inconsistent day continues. His dink kick-off isn't far enough and Wales get a scrum at halfway. Another chance to build pressure. You get the sense this passage of play could be the pivotal point in such a close match.
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| 56 |
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Just when a spot of invention might turn the match, both teams have reverted to their first half instincts. Ball up the jumper at every opportunity.
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| 57 |
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Scrum for Wales in the French 22, on the left flank. Webb pings it to Jonathan Davies and Wales look threatening for a moment.
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| 58 |
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Biggar sets up for the drop goal. It's high. It's true. It's.... off the post! Biggar holds his head in his hands in disbelief. Rotten luck for the Welshman.
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| 59 |
6 - 14 |
Super take under a high ball from Dulin, but when Lopez chips forward, Basteraud knocks on. It opens up for Wales and absolutely superb handling from Dan Lydiate sets Dan Biggar away for the try! It's a try for Wales! Brilliant invention from Lydiate and top finishing from Biggar.
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| 60 |
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The conversion slides wide as Halfpenny slipped on contact. It never stood a chance from that point.
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| 61 |
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France have been rocked by that try. Dulin runs into Tillous-Borde under a high ball and they turn and look at each other as if they've never even met.
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| 63 |
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Another penalty for Wales, in the French half. France penalised for going in at the side. You can tell they've lost their heads when they're giving Halfpenny pot shots inside their own territory.
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| 64 |
6 - 17 |
Wonderful kick from Halfpenny. Never anywhere else but over the bar, and that from the "wrong" side of the field for him, on the left.
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| 67 |
11 - 17 |
A try for France! That's deserved for a passage of play that saw France play with a dynamism that they began the second half with then allowed to desert them. It's worked wide on the left to Dulin who dives over in the corner. Game on? It might be now, Lopez nailing the kick and looking absolutely delighted with himself for it, too.
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| 68 |
13 - 17 |
Lopez - conversion
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| 69 |
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Alun-Wyn Jones takes a superb lineout ball for Wales on halfway. Exactly the time for that kind of play to make a difference. Wales looking to push forward but can't quite manage it, though they do win a scrum around 30 metres from the France line. Three points here would make all the difference. Do they work it for a drop goal attempt again?
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| 71 |
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Instead they win a penalty as France let the scrum wheel too far. Halfpenny territory, without a shadow of a doubt.
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| 73 |
13 - 20 |
Not the smoothest kick of the day from Halfpenny, but it's through. Is that the clincher?
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| 74 |
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France looking to keep the ball alive as much as possible, offload after offload. But Wales are stifling them with every tackle.
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| 76 |
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Scrum just inside the Welsh half, Wales with the put-in, and this is taking valuable time off the clock. In essence, there hasn't been any action for the best part of three minutes now. Exactly what Wales want.
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| 77 |
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Penalty to France as Wales lose control of the scrum. Lopez drills one into the 22, not quite as deep as he would have liked.
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| 78 |
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France secure the ball from the lineout and drive, drive, drive. The crowd are on their feet. Pushing and pushing and pushing...
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| 79 |
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It's brought down on the right. Tillous-Borde shifts it left and Dulin comes back inside and is hammered by Jamie Roberts' tackle. What a hit. A matchwinning hit, though Roberts might have hurt himself in that play. He'll feel it was worth it if Wales can just hold on.
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| 80 |
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It looks like the match might end as soon as Wales can claim the ball. It's a knock on, it will be a Wales put in, and this will be the final play of the match. And that's it! Wales have done it!
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