With David Reyrat in Cardiff
Baille (6.5): The left pillar of Stade Toulousain struggled in obscure tasks. Big defensive presence (11 tackles in the first half). A fierceness sometimes badly channeled: penalized after a tackle (3rd) and offside in defense (26th), costs six points. Hit in the arm, he had to give way at half-time to Gros (6.5) , who honored his first selection in blue.
»READ ALSO - XV of France: a team was born in Cardiff
Marchand (8): The stadist hooker responded to the challenge proposed by the Welsh. Finished with 14 tackles to his credit. 100% on his throws in touch (5/5). Precious. Replaced in the 56th minute by Chat (7.5) , which brought all its energy and explosiveness.
Haouas (6.5): Once again, the Montpellier right-hander, for his third selection, was up to the event. Sanctioned in melee (69th), putting his teammates in difficulty in defense.
Le Roux (7): The Racingman, as usual, has spared no effort. What a slaughter! Aggressive, hard to harm, the only 30-year-old from the France group hurt XV of the Leek. Replaced in the 66th minute by Toafifenua (6.5) .
Willemse (7,5): The second line of the MHR. His power did damage to the Welsh. Has registered his first try with the French team after a percussion of golgoth (30th). Foolproof pruner in defense with 17 tackles.
Cros (8): Not necessarily the player we see the most but the Toulouse flanker was huge in defense and constant in support, at the heart of the tough fight (14 tackles at the break, 18 in all, best tricolor total) . Shadow worker essential. Temporarily replaced by Bamba (7) after the yellow card from Haouas (69th). The Lyon pillar was illustrated at the outset by exploding the Welsh melee. Permanently replaced by Cretin (79th), who honored his first selection.
Ollivon (7): The captain of the Blues struggled, confining himself to combat (13 tackles) and rarely managing, in a padlocked game, to express his offensive qualities. But he made the link between forwards and three-quarters, knew how to guide the Blues, ten years after their last victory in Cardiff. Scrape the winning ball (80th).
Alldritt (6): The bulldozer of the XV of France, once again, gained precious meters ball in hand, especially in the first period. More back in second. Recover a hot entry balloon (1st) but misunderstanding with Ollivon in stride (2nd). Scoop of a yellow card, after accumulation of French faults (40th). Loses three balloons, in particular one after a percussion where it lacks support (50th).
Dupont (8.5): The boss of the Blues. The Toulousain still weighed on the game. Impressive in defense, a real poison close to regrouping. A ninth before! Several disintegrating tackles, including one that allows to recover a ball (9th). Replaced by Serin (75th).
Ntamack (8): At only 20, he dazzled the Principality Stadium with his talent. Right in his game, both by hand and by foot. Enrolled a test on interception (52nd), while the Blues were in arrears. Impressive in cold blood. Accurate in his candles (7th, 13th) and, above all, remarkable in his role as a striker (12 points at 100%). Back in decisive defense in the 22 m French (65th). Released in the 75th minute, replaced by Ramos .
Fickou (7): Replaced to the wing, the center of the Blues offered in the current game and was sharp. Big shock with North (11th), forced to leave after suffering an (umpteenth) concussion. Offside on a Bouthier candle (24th). In his discharge, three lost balloons.
Vincent (7,5): For his second tenure in blue (and his third cap), the Montpellier driver faced Cardiff. Some sharp interventions but, above all, he was omnipresent in defense (15 tackles) against the Welsh waves. Good percussion which allows to obtain a penalty and three points (19th).
Vakatawa (6.5): The Ile-de-France center could hardly speak out against the Welsh. Only rarely made a difference. Had trouble offensively in the first half (no meter gained), more dangerous in the second (29m). Is torn off a ball by Alun Wyn Jones (45th).
Thomas (4): A still complicated match for the Racing winger. Random decisive placements. Few balloons to negotiate and choices not always judicious. However, comes to disturb Halfpenny under the candle which leads to Bouthier's test (7th). Taken on a kick from Biggar (16th). Too short to recover a kick from Fickou (58th). Complicated. Replaced in the 66th minute by Jalibert (6) , who came in 10, Ntamack sliding in the center. The UBB player missed a penalty that could have protected the Blues (78th).
Bouthier (6): The back of Montpellier, for its third selection, was again solid and fair. Several raises to his credit and 109 meters won. Marks his first try in blue (7th). Bad pass for Fickou (13th). On a sharp raise, commits a slight forward pass to Vakatawa, which cancels, after using video, Fickou's test (28th).
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