Wales endure latest dark day as France run riot in front of empty seats in Cardiff

Wales suffered more Six Nations misery as France romped to a 54-12 victory in Cardiff.

Les Bleus scored eight tries en route to a second bonus-point win that took them back to the top of the table as Wales wilted again for a 13th straight Six Nations defeat.

Emilien Gailleton, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Matthieu Jalibert, Julien Marchand, Theo Attissogbe (two), and Charles Ollivon crossed as France transformed a Test match into an exhibition of carefree rugby.

Thomas Ramos added seven conversions as the visitors claimed their biggest Six Nations triumph in the Welsh capital.

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This was the fifth time in six games under Steve Tandy that Wales have conceded over 40 points, with tries from Rhys Carre and Mason Grady providing rare comfort for beleaguered hosts.

There were swathes of empty seats in the Principality Stadium amid turbulent times for Welsh rugby.

The official attendance of 57,744 was the lowest in Cardiff for a Six Nations fixture, fewer than the previous smallest crowd of 58,349 against Italy in 2002.

“I understand there is bucketfuls going on,” Tandy said when asked about the record-low attendance. “There's been lots going on in Wales for a hell of a long time.

“At the end of the day, you want to unify everything. That’s where the aim for everyone is.

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“We’re a small nation and we need everything to be flowing in the right direction.

“I genuinely believe that for the people, clubs, players, journalists – we all need to play a part in this journey. Everyone’s going to have to play their part, but there needs to be some patience as well.”

Wales had conceded 34 tries and 248 points under Tandy, and that porous defence was breached inside 90 seconds.

Antoine Dupont’s delicious pass out of the back of the hand sent Attissogbe and Ollivon charging through, and Gailleton was on hand to take the try-scoring pass.

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Dupont had a quiet game by his high standards in France’s opening victory over Ireland, but the scrum-half orchestrated matters alongside the outstanding Jalibert.

With the Wales defence sucked in, Jalibert’s inch-perfect kick detected Bielle-Biarrey for the winger’s 23rd try in 24 Tests.

Wales were unable to catch their breath and Jalibert broke through again to give supporting Pau centre Brau-Boirie a debut score.

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There had been simply nothing for home fans to shout about, but Wales responded by recycling the ball through several hands and Carre barged over from close range and Dan Edwards converted.

Normal order appeared to be restored when Attissogbe gathered Dupont’s clever chip, but the winger was in front of the scrum-half and in an offside position.

France bagged the bonus point on the stroke of half-time as Jalibert punished Adam Beard’s fluffed kick to race over unopposed.

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There was no let-up after the break as France turned to their power game and Marchand was the beneficiary under a pile of blue-shirted bodies on his 50th Les Bleus appearance.

Bielle-Biarrey then kept the ball alive on the touchline and Attissogbe popped up on his opposite wing to scamper over.

The Pau flyer was celebrating again after collecting Jalibert’s kick to the corner and Ollivon delivered his trademark try from close range.

Wales had the final word through replacement back Grady, but it was another sobering day for Welsh fans who will be wondering when their fortunes will be turned around.

“I’m disappointed with the scoreline, but you’ve got to tip your hat to France, what they brought,” Tandy assessed.

“I thought there was more in us today in parts of the game. I know you’ll probably look at me stupid when I’m talking around the scoreline, but I thought there were (positive) glimpses around the set-piece and some of the intent of how we wanted to go after the game.

”There was enough from the boys that we can go back in on Tuesday and work on things.”

PA