Wales 9-13 France: Wayne Pivac's men fail to convert pressure as Les Bleus march on for Six Nations Grand Slam

Wales pushed Grand Slam-chasing France all the way at the Principality Stadium, but were unable to crack a Shaun Edwards-inspired defence.

It was a game which saw just one try, an early score from Les Bleus flanker Anthony Jelonch.

After that, it was to be a tense, attritional affair with Wales earning increasing possession and territory, but they were just lacking that decisive cutting edge in attack with their best chance seeing Jonathan Davies spill the ball from a Taulupe Faletau pass following a precise cross kick from the outstanding Dan Biggar.

After an early exchange of penalties between Melvyn Jaminet and Biggar, France struck on nine minutes through a clinical, well-worked attack.

From a counter off a clearing kick, winger Gabin Villière did the initial damage and the momentum was maintained, ahead of Jaminet sending openside Jelonch over out on the left.

In the build-up to that converted try, Tomos Williams had got his head on the wrong side in attempting to tackle big centre Jonathan Danty and it had alarming consequences.

Having taken a knee to the head, Williams was left staggering around in disturbing scenes on the back of what happened with Tomas Francis at Twickenham. That was to be the end of Williams’ game as he was replaced at scrum-half by Kieran Hardy.

Things were looking gloomy for Wales in the opening 15 minutes, but they gradually worked their way back into the contest by successfully targeting the French lineout and through some astute tactical kicking.

Their efforts were rewarded with two successful penalties from Biggar to cut the deficit to 10-9 at the break.

Jaminet extended the visitors’ advantage soon after the resumption, but Wales were to have plenty of territory and possession as the half progressed.

However, they were unable to convert pressure into points as they struggled to crack the French defence.

Their best chance came just past the hour mark when a pinpoint Biggar cross kick found Faletau out on the left wing. He put in an instant inside pass to Jonathan Davies, but the centre just couldn’t hold on to the ball as he juggled it.

Six minutes from time, Wales had the chance to cut the deficit to a point when they were awarded a penalty just inside the French half.

Instead of going for the long-range kick at goal, they took the option of an attacking scrum upfield and the resulting attack fizzled out.

That was to be that with Les Bleus holding on to remain on course for the Grand Slam.

Wales: 15. Liam Williams; 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Jonathan Davies, 11. Josh Adams; 10. Dan Biggar (capt), 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Seb Davies, 7. Josh Navidi, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16. Dewi Lake, 17. Wyn Jones, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Ross Moriarty, 20. Jac Morgan, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Gareth Anscombe, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit.

France: 15. Melvyn Jaminet; 14. Yoram Moefana, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Gabin Villière; 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (capt); 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julian Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Francois Cros, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 8. Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Mohamed Haouas, 19. Thibaud Flament, 20. Dylan Cretin, 21. Maxime Lucu, 22. Thomas Ramos, 23. Matthis Lebel.

See how the action unfolded: