Tony Marsh beats the Wales defence to score
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Matches: Wales 33 - 37 France

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: France | Wales

Wales regained their self-respect after a week of turmoil but could not prevent caretaker coach Steve Hansen's reign beginning with a defeat despite an extraordinary climax against France in Cardiff.

Hansen saw one of his countrymen and former players come back to haunt him as centre Tony Marsh grabbed two of the visitors three tries in a pulsating Lloyds TSB Six Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium.

Marsh, who was part of the New Zealand police team coached by Hansen a decade ago, struck twice in the first half but France were forced to cling-on to victory as Wales staged a grandstand finish.

Full-back Kevin Morgan had pulled Wales within one score of their visitors with just minutes left after he was awarded a try by the video referee.

But Italian official Claudio Giacomel ruled out injury-time 'tries' by skipper Scott Quinnell and wing Dafydd James, either of which would have given Wales a famous victory after days of soul-searching.

Hansen, who replaced fellow Kiwi Graham Henry who quit after the record drubbing by Ireland a fortnight ago, had the consolation of seeing Wales cheered off by their fans after narrowly missing out on a comeback triumph.

The Great Redeemer may have gone, but this was a Welsh performance of self-redemption after the Dublin debacle although a victory would only have raised false optimism with the visit to Twickenham to face mighty England to come.

There was plenty of spirit, so sadly missing against Ireland, but the skill level still needs to be improved and Wales clearly still have much to do before they can expect to be a major force in the Six Nations again let alone next year's World Cup.

The Welsh players had been advised to delay their arrival at Dublin Airport after the 54-10 trouncing by Ireland for fears of running into disgruntled Welsh fans.

But Hansen's team, showing just three changes to the team beaten in Dublin, could not have asked for a more rousing reception when they ran out today.

The stadium was also virtually full to its 74,500 capacity even though thousands of tickets had been returned by the clubs and they had been put on general sale to the public for the first time since the 1960's, while talk of a widespread show of protest at the Welsh Rugby Union proved ungrounded apart from a couple of banners.

Quinnell's team were full of passion and commitment as they attempted to atone for their dismal display in the Six Nations opener against an inexperienced French side showing six changes to the team who had managed an unconvincing victory over Italy in Paris a fortnight ago.

Outside-half Stephen Jones gave the home side the perfect start with a second-minute penalty but France soon levelled when Wales were penalised for holding on and back-chat to the referee took the kick within range of Damien Traille, though the centre still had to hoof it over from 45metres.

Wales were dominating the opening exchanges and got their reward after 10 minutes even though they spurned an overlap as Newport's Andy Marinos, forming a new centre partnership with Saracens Tom Shanklin, threw out a poor pass to wing Craig Morgan.

The Cardiff flier managed to get a boot to the ball and force full-back Nicolas Brusque into conceding a five-minute scrum from which Morgan was just inches away from forcing his way over.

But Wales were not to de denied and from the next scrum Quinnell drove forward for scrum-half Rob Howley to find the skipper's 20st younger brother Craig who used his weight to power over for his fifth try for his country. Jones added the conversion.

Outside-half Gerald Merceron reduced the arrears before France began to gain control of the game and took the lead with a try midway through the first half. Pieter de Villiers made the initial 20m break, fellow prop Jean-Jacques Crenca was in support before Merceron and wing Xavier Garbanzos combined to send Marsh over at the corner.

Jones regained the lead with a penalty and did so again with another successful kick just a couple of minutes later after Merceron responded with a drop goal from 35m.

It was Merceron who then broke clear and found hooker Raphael Ibanez providing the support before feeding Marsh who grabbed his second try of the half with Merceron converting before Jones reduced the arrears with another successful penalty.

But Wales suffered a self-inflicted blow on the stroke of half-time when inspirational skipper Quinnell was sin-binned by Irish referee David McHugh for using his forearm as he tackled Brusque, who was returning the British Lion number eight's errant clearance kick. Merceron further punished the hosts by slotting over the penalty.

Hansen's team were then the subject of a contentious decision by the video referee just two minutes into the second half.

The Italian ruled that French wing Aurelin Rougerie had won the race for the touch-down after his own chip ahead, though full-back Morgan looked to have got his hands on the ball at last at the same moment.

Merceron converted and minutes later added a penalty to stretch the lead to 15 points just as Quinnell returned to the field after his punishment.

Wales, though, refused to concede a third successive home defeat against the French - although one of the games took place at Wembley - and responded with a try from Bridgend flanker Nathan Budgett who powered over from close-range, his second in nine appearances, after Marinos had kept the ball alive.

Merceron then kicked another penalty and France appeared to be cruising to victory without looking as though they would be a major threat to England in their likely Six Nations decider in Paris.

But Wales suddenly found themselves just four points adrift and back into the game when Morgan chased a kick ahead from Jones and was awarded the try despite Rougerie's attempted saving dive. Jones converted.

The Welsh were suddenly rampant and when Quinnell picked up a loose ball from a French line-out he looked to have barged his way over, but the presence of de Villiers and replacement Olivier Milloud as the ball was grounded proved decisive to the video referee.

The Welsh public had reportedly been voting with their feet, but they were on their feet now as Wales launched a series of assaults on the French line. James hoped he had scored in the corner but the Bridgend wing was clearly well in touch as he grounded the ball.

Teams:

Wales: K. Morgan, James, Shanklin, Marinos, C. Morgan, S. Jones, Howley, John, McBryde, Anthony, C. Quinnell, Moore, Budgett, M. Williams, S. Quinnell.

Replacements: R. Williams for Marinos (71), D. Jones for John (67), B. Williams for McBryde (63), Gough for C. Quinnell (68).

Not Used: G. Thomas, Peel, Harris.

Sin Bin: S. Quinnell (40).

Tries: C. Quinnell, Budgett, K. Morgan.

Cons: S. Jones 3.

Pens: S. Jones 4.

France: Brusque, Rougerie, Marsh, Traille, Garbajosa, Merceron, Mignoni, Crenca, Ibanez, De Villiers, Privat, Brouzet, Betsen, Harinordoqui, Hall.

Replacements: Bruno for Ibanez (66), Pelous for Privat (60), Audebert for Hall (69).

Not Used: Milloud, Albouy, Gelez, Marlu.

Tries: Marsh 2, Rougerie.

Cons: Merceron 2.

Pens: Traille, Merceron 4.

Drop Goals: Merceron

Att: 72,500

Ref: David McHugh (Ireland).