France v Wales LIVE: Six Nations 2025 score and updates as Les Bleus dominating

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31-01-2025

France and Wales kick off the Six Nations under the Friday night lights in Paris as another thrilling edition of rugby's greatest annual championship begins.
Warren Gatland's side are winless since the 2023 World Cup having gone the entirety of 2024 without Test success, and face a tough opening task in a tournament that their head coach begins under pressure. A callow squad has been bolstered somewhat by some veteran returnees but doubts remain if they have the pieces in place to challenge a French side targeting the title.
The hosts welcome back captain Antoine Dupont after his absence was keenly felt last year as he chased, and eventually achieved, sevens gold at Paris 2024. With Romain Ntamack, Gregory Alldritt, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the rest, Fabien Galthie again boasts a potent combination as his side seek just a second tournament triumph since 2010.The Six Nations begins with France hosting Wales in Paris | Live on ITV
Fabien Galthie's side are hotly-tipped to win the championship with Antoine Dupont returning
Warren Gatland's visitors went the entirety of 2024 without a win
68' - TRY! Ntamack cross-kick gathered by Gailleton to touch down (FRA 38-0 WAL)
55' - TRY! Marchand touches down at the back of a driving maul (FRA 35-0 WAL)
40' - TRY! Dupont sets up another try as Bielle-Biarrey gets his second (FRA 28-0 WAL)
35 - TRY! Magic from Dupont to dance through the defence and pass to Attisogbe for his second try (FRA 21-0 WAL)
23' - TRY! Ramos chest passes to Bielle-Biarrey for the score (FRA 14-0 WAL)
18' - TRY! Dupont lofts perfect kick to Attisogbe for the opening try (FRA 7-0 WAL)
21:54 , Luke Baker
There's the try. After the exhibition stuff in the 22, Ntamack dinks a crossfield kick out to the left where Emilien Gailleton, just on as a replacement catches it on the bounce and strolls over the whitewash.
Le garrec is the kicker now but his touchline conversion attempt goes across the face of the posts.
21:52 , Luke Baker
Wales turn the ball over and Josh Adams gets in the referee's face shouting about a high tackle. Paul Williams doesn't take kindly to that and marches France 10 metres further forward.
Les Bleus playing champagne rugby now! Prop Baille with a pass out the back of the hand and scrum half Le Garrec then does likewise with a long pass. They're into the 22.
21:48 , Luke Baker
Welsh maul defence holds this time. Baille with a great carry takes France within two metres but there's a knock-on in contact, so Wales survive.
A scrum on their own five-metre line isn't hugely appetising but they exit well and young fly half Edwards produces a monster clearance kick towards halfway. Good stuff by the young debutant.
21:46 , Luke Baker
Perhaps understandably given the replacements and the scoreline, this match is in danger of petering out slightly as we enter the final 20 minutes.
Dee pinged for a croc roll on Marchand and France kick to the corner for another five-metre lineout
21:41 , Luke Baker
Wales run 11 phases and Tompkins wriggles over the gain-line to keep them going forward. But France then win the ball at the breakdown.
A knock-on by Les Bleus though, so Welsh ball in the France half.
21:39 , Luke Baker
Marchand with a good throw. The maul gets rolling, rumbles over the line and it is indeed Julien Marchand who dots down at the back.
Simple game, rugby... Ramos misses for the first time from the tee and loses his perfect record. That was a straightforward kick by his standards, so he'll be frustrated.
21:37 , Luke Baker
Penalty to Les Bleus as Wales don't release. The Welsh back on a final warning with the next offence being a yellow card.
Ntamack kicks to the corner. Lineout five metres out...
21:36 , Luke Baker
Good work by Bielle-Biarrey to deal with a kick over the top and sidestep the onrushing kick chase.
Ntamack then wraps around and slices through a hole in the defensive line. Suddenly France in the Welsh 22.
21:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
A really strong defensive set from France there, switching on in their own 22 - where they haven't been that often tonight. Some really interesting tactical tweaks in Shaun Edwards's system, with Antoine Dupont being used as a shooter in the outside centre channel with real regularity.
Without defensive captain Gael Fickou, France are perhaps having to find different ways to raise the ramparts, and Dupont is doing an excellent job. Ugo Mola, his coach at Toulouse, had hinted that Dupont might fancy a go at 13 at some point...
Alas, that won't happen to day as he's subbed off on 50 minutes, with Nolann Le Garrec on to finish the game at No 9
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
21:33 , Luke Baker
Atonio goes down at the scrum under pressure from Nicky Smith but France given the penalty. They clear their lines.
Oh my word - here's a blue wave! Six France replacements come on at the same time and run on in unison. Quite the sight.
Antoine Dupont one of the men coming off as Marchand, Baille, Colombe, Auradou, Guillard and Le Garrec all on
21:30 , Luke Baker
No space at the fringes of the rucks for Wales. They're still probing, going through the phases but eventually the mistake comes.
A knock-on in contact and the French celebrate a good defensive set. Fine margins at Test level and this young Wales team are learning that the hard way
21:29 , Luke Baker
Couple of front-row changes for Wales as Nicky Smith and Keiron Assiratti enter the fray. It's lineout first, well claimed by Wales but the maul stalls.
Forward carries but they can't breach the five-metre line yet. Ben Thomas has a go, Botham likewise - good French defence.
21:27 , Luke Baker
This is lovely play by Wales - their best passage of attacking play. Adams carries well down the left flank and offloads well, a couple more offloads, including one from Morgan, takes them to the 22.
Then they keep it tight in the forwards to try and power over but Bielle-Biarrey pinches it. However France are called back for being offside a penalty 10 metres out for Wales.
21:24 , Luke Baker
Nice reverse pass from Moefana as France probe around the midfield area and then an Attisogbe dummy gets them further forward. A Dupont snipe makes a few more metres before Alldritt's offload moves Les Bleus to the 22.
Good defence by Wales to push them back towards halfway though and Ramos knocks on. Nice by the visitors, kept their discipline well.
21:22 , Luke Baker
Back underway at the Stade de France. Wales facing a 13th defeat in a row but can they gain some momentum in the second half to take into their crunch clash with Italy in Rome next week?
21:19 , Luke Baker
Here are the tries from that first half. An Antoine Dupont creative masterclass
Antoine Dupont at his brilliant best 😍Outrageous vision to set up Théo Attissogbé, who scores on debut!#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/89cDystlAN
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) January 31, 2025
France have their second in just over five minutes, and it's another BEAUTY 🔥Louis Bielle-Biarrey - still on fire. #GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/HGFWG5IB0k
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) January 31, 2025
Antoine Dupont has his THIRD try assist of the first half 🌟And France have the bonus-point wrapped up already!#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/Hxhpumk0dN
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) January 31, 2025
21:09 , Luke Baker
And that's half-time. What can you say. Antoine Dupont has been a little maestro, dictating play, producing moments of magic and directly setting up three of France's four tries.
Winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attisogbe have helped themselves to two apiece and the bonus point is secure already for Les Bleus. Wales actually started ok for the first 10 minutes but it's been downhill from there.
21:06 , Luke Baker
Back to the corner we go and into the red for the half. Lineout won, maul set, this time it's rolling, a splinter maul then takes them up to the line.
Dupont fires the pass left and Louis Bielle-Biarrey steps inside a desperately covering Rogers and stretches out for the try in the corner. Too easy really and that's the bonus point.
Ramos conversion is good - another superb kick - and it will be 28-0 at half-time.
21:04 , Luke Baker
Mauvaka clean with the lineout, the driving maul starts but Wales drive them back so Dupont has a dart himself.
Another penalty coming, France still five metres out. Alldritt with a barrelling carry to a metre out but Gros then drops the ball, so we go back for the penalty and Wales are warned that any more penalties will lead to a sin-bin.
21:02 , Luke Baker
It's still a France scrum five metres out though. A test for the Wales pack, as replacement hooker Elliot Dee comes on for Reffell with Lloyd in the bin.
Penalty advantage to France from the scrum, Ntamack cross kicks to try and give Attisogbe his hat-trick but the ball bounces forward and dead with the French winger waiting. Back for the penalty and to the corner.
21:00 , Luke Baker
Some good news for Wales as the Evan Lloyd sin-bin will stay just a yellow card. Not much else if going right for them though - France are simply in a different league.
Frantic scrambling again from the visitors as Rogers gets back and just about gets his hand on a loose ball after Dupont grubbers a gorgeous kick for Bielle-Biarrey to chase. He saved a try.
20:58 , Luke Baker
Oh stop it Antonie Dupont! More magic from the incredible No 9 as he snipes, weaves between tacklers, skins Dafydds Jenkin and then loops the pass out for Theo Attisogbe to complete the try.
The pass is checked, ruled not forward and it's sublime by France. Ramos adds the conversion. Les Bleus are rocking now
20:56 , Luke Baker
France on the charge, Ntamack and Dupont combine and Les Bleus are five metres away. French penalty as the maul is collapsed - back to the corner for the lineout.
But Wales turn it over! Poor from Mauvaka and Reffell gleefully claims it. Big turnover
20:54 , Luke Baker
TMO review as Evan Lloyd goes into the tackle on Bielle-Biarrey, there's head contact, the crowd boo and it's a yellow card for the Wales hooker.
That will be reviewed by the bunker and could be upgraded to a 20-minute red card which have been introduced for this Six Nations. Wales definitely down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes anyway.
20:52 , Luke Baker
The move off the scrum sees Dupont wrap around, then try a grubber through, but it's blocked and the ball bounces backwards.
Les Bleus reload but Wales hold strong and eventually get the ball back to hoof clear. Really good defensive set with Gareth Thomas leading the way. Top work by the loosehead
20:50 , Luke Baker
Oh hello, Theo Attisogbe! The Pau winger thumps an absolute belter of a kick from his own 22 that keeps running all the way into touch at the Welsh 22.
It's just outside, so no 50-22, but Wales make a mess of the play off the lineout and now it's a French scrum in golden attacking position. Try number three incoming?
20:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
Bad to worse for Wales. After a decent opening 15, these last ten minutes have been tough to watch, and that nasty knee injury for Owen Watkin only compounds their issues. On comes Dan Edwards for a Test debut as Ben Thomas slides across to inside centre - good luck to the young Ospreys playmaker, who is a real talent but not arriving in ideal circumstances.
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
20:48 , Luke Baker
You don't like to see this. Owen Watkin in a lot of pain and the stretcher comes on. He eventually gets up but is helped off the pitch and looks in serious discomfort.
The 21-year-old fly half Dan Edwards on for his debut. Welcome to the big leagues, kid... Ben Thomas moves out to his more natural position of 12
20:44 , Luke Baker
Better from Wales, a couple of bruising carries and they're up towards the French 22. Tomos Williams thumped backwards though.
Ben Thomas then goes for a chip over the top but it's aimless and easily claimed by Ramos. A waste from the 10
20:42 , Luke Baker
France are hitting their straps now and it's their other winger, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, with the score this time.
They surge forward with intent and Ramos creates it with a two-handed chest pass as he runs across the field, finding Bielle-Biarrey for the simple run-in. Ramos conversion and Les Bleus are in complete control.
20:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
Antoine Dupont is so good he now seems to be rehearsing his try-scoring plays. Minutes after a cross-kick landed on green grass with not a teammate in sight, the scrum half nails the skill again to land one in the hands of Theo Attisogbe, this time reading from the same script. A first try for Attisogbe, whose time in the side may be brief with hope that Damian Penaud might be back fit for England next week.
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
20:39 , Luke Baker
Damian who? France apparently not missing the injured Penaud as Attisogbe steps in perfectly, although that try was all about Dupont. Showing exactly wht he's the best player in the world.
How will Wales respond?
20:37 , Luke Baker
France go wide to Bielle-Biarrey but Wales scramble and hold for now. France still five meres out, penalty coming...
A free play and they make it count in style! It's sumptuous by Dupont as he picks the ball at the base, runs backwards and lofts a perfect cross-field kick into the arms of a sprinting Theo Attisogbe who can dot down on the right wing. Sublime!
Ramos adds the touchline conversion. France lead by seven
Antoine Dupont at his brilliant best 😍Outrageous vision to set up Théo Attissogbé, who scores on debut!#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/89cDystlAN
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) January 31, 2025
20:35 , Luke Baker
Wales in trouble in their own 22 as a French counter-ruck has them battling to retain the ball. The clearance barely makes it out of the 22 and this is a great foundation for France.
Alldritt with a powerful carry into the 22, inch by inch they're getting closer. Atonio takes them five metres out and Barassi has a dart. They're nearly at the line...
20:34 , Luke Baker
Wales proving themselves a right nuisance here and a dink over the top causes more issues as Rogers claims it.
But France force them backwards and Dupont blitzes out of the defence, gets in Tompkins's eye-line and the ball hits the floor. Boudehent hacks on and the flanker looks to be winning the foot race for the ball near the line but as he tries to dive on it, he knocks forward. Wales survive.
20:31 , Luke Baker
Wales win the scrum and this is a chance to get some points. Decent carry on a nice line by Rogers but eventually, France win the turnover at the ruck and can clear.
Good defence by the home side.
20:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
A Mexican wave inside ten minutes is perhaps more a reflection of an impatient crowd than a game that is livening up quite nicely. Wales have scrambled effectively on a couple of occasions defensively, and have painted some nice initial shapes in attack; France are clearly keen to play but just haven't quite got their accuracy right yet.
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
20:29 , Luke Baker
Wales won't mind this start at all - 10 minutes and they haven't conceded. Defensively, especially, they've looked decent
Now they pinch the ball in the French half and Morgan makes another powerful carry to gain metres. Ben Thomas then tries a dinked cross-kick towards Rogers, he contests with Ramos and the ball hits the deck for a knock-on.
Wales scrum in the French 22
20:26 , Luke Baker
Frustrating knock-on for Wales as Watkin fumbles a low pass. First scrum of the day, just inside the Welsh half... Remember we've got a new law where the opposition scrum half has to stay further back and can't harry the No 9 putting in.
Dupont doesn't need much time to create something anyway... But he won't get a chance as, after a couple of resets, France ar epinged for engaging early and it's a Welsh free-kick. They happily clear
20:24 , Luke Baker
More good defence by Wales as Barassi, the new French centre gets smashed and the ball bounces into touch. French lineout though as it came off a Welsh hand.
Lovely play by France down the right, Moefana releasing winger Theo Attisogbe - in for the injured Penaud - and he's into the 22. Good tackle by Reffell to stop the offload.
And a phase later, it's great breakdown work by Reffell again to pinch the ball and win the penalty. Talk about making an impact as a blood substitute
20:20 , Luke Baker
Aaron Wainwright has taken a knock to the face, blood everywhere so he exits and Tommy Reffell comes on in the Welsh back row as a blood substitution.
Wales hoof clear from the goal-line drop out. They were nearly caught out by some Dupont magic but survive for now.
20:19 , Luke Baker
The lineout is clean, France unchallenged at the tail. Time to work the phases in the Welsh 22.
Couple of big carries from the forwards, then it's a French penalty as Atonio is illegally tackled.
And Dupont taps and goes! Scythes through defenders, catching Wales off guard and gets over the line but he's held up. The scramble defence from the visitors holds
20:18 , Luke Baker
First touch from the returning Antoine Dupont as he kicks long from his own 22. Nice carry by his opposite captain Jac Morgan then makes a few metres for Wales in midfield.
Box kick comes back to Wales and they've got a decent position but spill the ball, Thomas Ramos boots into the backfield and nails a 50-22! Superb kick from the full back and this is a golden opportunity for France.
20:16 , Luke Baker
The 2025 Six Nations is underway! Ben Thomas boots the ball into the Parisian night sky
20:14 , Luke Baker
Stirring renditions of both anthems, with La Marseillaise almost taking the roof off the place.
We're just about ready to go
20:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
Out go the house lights as the stadium announcer invites the crowd to roar the surnames of the French staff and squad. A mighty roar of 'Dupont', as one would expect - what a delight it is to have the little master back in this competition, however fun his sevens sojourn proved.
The rain, pleasingly, has relented, which may create a slightly more open game. How long can Wales match France for?
20:03 , Luke Baker
We've got about 15 minutes until kick-off in Paris. It's all starting to heat up despite the rain
19:50 , Luke Baker
Liam Williams has his sights set on securing membership of Wales' 100-cap club as he prepares for another Six Nations campaign.
Williams is senior statesman among the Wales backs, returning to Six Nations action after missing last year's tournament while he had a stint in Japanese rugby with Kubota Spears.
And while he is enjoying mentoring some of Wales' young and inexperienced players, the 33-year-old also still has plenty to offer on the pitch.
A 93rd cap comes tonight against France in Friday's Six Nations opener, and although Williams stresses it is 'one game and one thing at a time', ambition still burns brightly.
Liam Williams admits reaching 100 caps for Wales would be 'icing on the cake'
19:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Thomas gets first crack at fly half for Wales tonight, the versatile Cardiff man identified as a playmaker of the future by Warren Gatland even when many feeling his best position might be 12. Surely it might have made sense to have Gareth Anscombe in this Welsh squad?
The strange selection that shows Wales' muddled thinking ahead of Six Nations
18:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
A very good evening from Paris, where it is disappointingly cold and wet, which is rather putting the dampener on the Six Nations' return to the French capital. With Olympic preparations wiping out the Stade de France last year, Les Bleus went on a travelling roadshow, with Marseille and Lyon both lively destinations.
This feels like a homecoming, though, and there was palpable excitement on the crowded tram in. The expectation is a big France win - but opening weekends of this competition tend to throw up a surprise or two...