Jones, Pivac & Galthie on France's victory over Wales

With one hand on the trophy, Alun Wyn Jones led the Welsh out onto the pitch in Paris with the hopes of cementing the 2021 Six Nations in their name, but it wasn’t to be.

The visitors were put on the back foot significantly after being reduced to 13 men after Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams were sinned binned. France had their share of punishment for indiscipline as well with lock Paul Willemse sent off for making contact with the eye area of Welsh prop Wyn Jones, but Wales could not overcome the blue machine as it rumbled on to victory.

“It’s quite a numb feeling after the boys put in such a fantastic effort,” Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said.

“It was hard to defend at that point, but the guys had done tremendously well to hold out. It was one too many attack and certainly our discipline didn’t help us in the last 10 minutes.

“It was quite chaotic. The French management were vocal and quite rightly so. They were cheering their team on and we were very vocal in terms of hoping for a turnover.

“It just had everything that last 10 minutes. We’ll reflect that it was a hell of a game, but it was a frustrating last passage certainly.”

France could now, conceivably, snatch the title if they bag five points against Scotland next Friday – a Round 3 clash which had to be postponed due to Covid – and Pivac does not appear overly confident about Scotland’s chances.

“It’s a very good French side, as you saw from a position in the game where I felt we should have kicked on,” he said.

“They just keep coming, a lot of big men, hard on to the ball. They put us under a lot of pressure and, especially at home, they’re a quality side.

“It’s a tough ask for Scotland to come here and win the game, but we’ll be watching eagerly and we’ll see what happens.”

Alun Wyn Jones was in sombre mood after proceedings:

“I thought we were pretty good for 80-odd minutes of the game,” he said.

“With the final phase, the final play, France obviously edged it. They built the pressure, and indiscipline probably cost us, but credit to France for getting the win.

“When it (the title) is out of your hands, you are looking into the future. It will be interesting to see what happens, and I don’t want to speculate on that.

“There is quite a bit of pride, but there is no consolation in that. It (pride) is something you feel and something you can put value on, but we came here to win, and we didn’t do that.

“We will let the dust settle, and see where we are.”

Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie stood up for Willemse during his post-game segment:

“I don’t think he deserves a heavy sanction. If you watch the video there is no contact, or if there is contact it is very limited.

“If you watch the Welsh players they specialise in making sure the opponent gets the red card and their body language is quite clear.

“So I hope that is taken into consideration and I don’t think he deserves a sanction.”

Asked to comment on the mood in the French cap after the victory, Galthie added:

“It’s a swimming pool of happiness – happiness without limits.

“I don’t know if you can measure the character of the team. But I’m not surprised. They tapped into their deepest reserves and found it when it was needed.”