CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — France inevitably racked up a record win against struggling Wales on Sunday and was the only unbeaten team in the Six Nations after two rounds.
Favored to win back-to-back titles, France scored eight tries, the first after just 88 seconds. The 54-12 scoreline eclipsed its previous high against Wales of 51-0 in 1998 at Wembley Stadium.
France didn’t overpower Wales as it could easily have. Instead, France played sevens style, keeping the ball alive, offloading and stepping and slicing the Welsh apart. The loose and slippery nature of France’s game didn’t allow Wales time to reset its defense and it was constantly forced to have to react.
The speed suited France’s new centers, Pau clubmates Fabien Brau-Boirie, 20, and Émilien Gailleton, 22. They both touched down and Gailleton was replaced late by another debutant Noah Néné, 21. Flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert was the man of the match after scoring one try and assisting on three more.
Wales’ Six Nations losing streak since 2022 was extended to 13 matches. The game attracted only about 60,000 spectators, the smallest Wales home crowd since the tournament expanded in 2000.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
The Associated Press
