Glawio Rugby

Wales vs France Review – Six Nations 2026

Wales 12 – 54 France

Despite the scoreline, this was a much improved performance from Wales overall, but the gulf in class was evident from the opening minutes of the game. France were too strong, too fast, too clean and too creative for Wales to earn enough opportunities to catch up from the visitors’ early lead. Dupont and Jalibert were a level above Williams and Edwards in game management, enabling France to utilise their French Flair to its fullest capacity and dominate on attack, scoring on almost all of their 2 entries.

Where Wales need to improve is clear. Tandy has already announced plans to introduce a new defence coach in time for the Nations Championship, but the argument to fast-track one is strong enough; they can’t go a game without conceding 50 points, with France making 17 line breaks and beating 34 defenders. At half time, Wales’ tackle success rate was at (approximately) 67% and while they closed it to 80% by the second half, this is not enough for them to be competitive against teams of this calibre. There comes a point where simply complimenting the other team’s attacking structure isn’t enough of an excuse; twice France scored from cross-field kicks that Wales were completely unprepared for, and while their opponents aren’t as dominant in this area going forward, its an area Wales desperately need to shore up.

Still, credit where it’s due for how the team responded to last week’s crushing defeat. Several players grew into their respective jerseys and make strong cases for persisting with them going forward. Meanwhile, the set piece was solid and consistent throughout, with the scrum holding strong against one of the best packs in the world and the dreaded lineout achieving 100% success. And after an embarrassing 16 penalties in the opening half of last game, 9 were conceded across all 80 minutes, only 3 more than France, far closer to the standard expected from international players. There’s a lot of work to do, but the small gains have to matter in the long run.

Player Ratings

1: Rhys Carré 7

A strong showing overall. Usually valued less at scrum time than Nicky Smith, the Saracens man held strong against a powerful French pack and provided good showings in attack capped off by a deserved try. Consistently got the ball going forwards, which was a luxury Wales were rarely afforded

2: Dewi Lake 5

Lake was much better in terms of discipline and lineout throwing, but his defensive work was less flattering. He missed 4 tackles, far below his usual standard, and generally seems to epitomise what Wales do wrong in a lot of their recent matches. Came off earlier than usual, though it was an improvement over his previous form.

3: Tomas Francis 5

The only player with a real discipline issue in this game, but Francis more than made up for it with the scrum, steadying well against Jean-Baptiste Gros. Made some reasonable carries, too.

4: Dafydd Jenkins 6

Not one of his better games, but overall Jenkins contributed well on both sides of the ball and was the main lineout operator, a role he’s likely better suited for than Mann or Beard. Won a turnover too.

5: Adam Beard 3

Usually, a strong lineout his a sign of Beard having a good game, but he undid the work from last week with the decision to try and grubber a ball past Jalibert that lead to a French try. Beard didn’t really do much around the park besides limit Wales’ attacking opportunities with errors, and given Tandy’s reaction, he’ll be lucky to stay here.

6: Aaron Wainwright 8

Very much a three-way race for Wales’ best performer, but Wainwright takes it given his relentless drive to get over the gainline. Usually weaker than his backrow colleagues on defence, he was actually solid in this area despite being thoroughly outplayed by Bielle-Biarrey at one point. The most important man in the backrow besides Jac, and Tandy should probably appreciate that.

7: Alex Mann 5

Not normally an openside, and didn’t really slow down France’s ball much. Still, was Wales’ top tackler and made a lot of carries despite his smaller frame. A constant workhorse, but Wales need more power and breakdown skill from their 7.

8: Olly Cracknell 4

Highly rated by fans and pundits, Cracknell showed more of his limitations than strengths. Despite being a powerful carrier, Cracknell lacks the agility of other Wales 8s and was constantly evaded on defence, missing 3/11 tackles. Not much else to write about.

9: Tomos Williams 8

The driving force of Wales’ attack, Tomos was constantly under pressure but kicked consistently and was involved well on defence. Kept up performance-wise with Dupont, which is a huge statement, but clearly remains one of Wales’ best players even when struggling.

10: Dan Edwards 4

Not a great kicking game by comparison. Some more agility would’ve been helpful, as he fell off most of his tackles and couldn’t do much with ball in hand. Will have better games, but this wasn’t his best.

11: Josh Adams 6

Limited room to work with, but did well for the most part. Gutted to knock the ball forwards at the line thanks to Flament and Guillard, but was a solid presence on defence all things considered.

12: Joe Hawkins 6

A lot better on defence than usual from Wales’ 12s. Made some good plays and reads, but it wasn’t enough to gain go forward, especially compared to his centre partner. Should keep the kersey for next week.

13: Eddie James 8

Much better; really showed what he can bring on both sides of the ball. James has a broad and powerful skillset, as he brought pace and power in carries to consistently beat defenders. Strong defensive showing too, with 2 of his 8 tackles being dominant ones. His inexperience held him back a little, but it’s still early days for him at this level, so this was a big plus overall.

14: Ellis Mee 6

Good under the high ball, and his one break showed his carrying value, but wasn’t able to get into the game much. Defended against Bielle-Biarrey quite well, but was guilty of letting him score off a cross-kick he was completely unprepared for.

15: Louis Rees-Zammit 7

A lot of the same as last week. Topped the charts for meters carried, and pressured French defence well, although not enough to break them on his own. 

BENCH

16: Ryan Elias 4

Lost control of the ball a little too often, but carried well otherwise and his lineout was decent.

17: Nicky Smith 5

Made some nice dominant tackles, and the scrum stayed strong, but Carré was a tough act to follow up.

18: Archie Griffin 6

More active in the loose than Smith, and generally performed better than Francis.

19: Ben Carter6

Game was effectively over, but Carter did well with limited material, with one good break and solid defensive work.

20: Taine Plumtree 5

Made some nice carries and broke his streak of cards, but his one break got held up over the line and nothing he did really impacted the game

21: Kieran Hardy N/A

More gametime than usual, but not a lot to rank. Almost botched a carry near the tryline, but his speed of service was good.

22: Jarrod Evans 4

Missed his one kick, though it wasn’t a great angle. Didn’t really speed up the attack either, but set up others well.

23: Mason Grady 6

Overpowered Bielle-Biarrey to bring him into touch, and finished a great passing maneuver for a try. Not much else he could’ve done.

My Team for Scotland:

1: Rhys Carré

2: Dewi Lake

3: Tomas Francis

4: Dafydd Jenkins

5: Ben Carter

6: James Botham

7: Josh Macleod

8: Aaron Wainwright

9: Tomos Williams

10: Dan Edwards

11: Mason Grady

12: Joe Hawkins

13: Eddie James

14: Ellis Mee

15: Louis Rees-Zammit

BENCH

16: Liam Belcher

17: Nicky Smith

18: Archie Griffin

19: Rhys Davies

20: Olly Cracknell

21: Kieran Hardy

22: Jarrod Evans

23: Tom Rogers

Scotland aren’t as physical as France, but they still have numerous threats out wide and in the midfield to keep up a powerful attack. All doubts that Scotland’s past achievements were behind them were quickly quashed when they comfortably beat England from minute one, so Wales news to start off quickly and remain consistent for 80 minutes; they’re struggling to do either, but that’s how you beat Scotland. 

Beard’s poor performances once again see him replaced with more dynamic forwards. Botham comes in at 6 and Macleod comes in at 7; this is assuming Scotland field a similar backrow that they brought against England (Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey). Matt Fagerson is more of a carrying threat, but the former combo will make the breakdown a real contest, so Wales need to prioritise this area. The bench spot is tricky, but Cracknell should help counter Brown or Fagerson coming off the bench.

I’ve also re-jigged the back three a little; Adams has been solid on defence, but doesn’t really have the pace to compete with high-end wingers, and probably needs a break after successive 80 minute performances. Grady’s size and speed should be enough to fend off Steyn while challenging him in the air, while Tom Rogers can cover the back three from the bench.