Wales v France player ratings as Jac Morgan in a different league

Wales’ Six Nations opener in Paris did not go as planned as Warren Gatland’s side got smashed 43-0 by France.

They even tries with Theo Attissogbe (twice), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (twice), Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton and Gregory Alldritt touching down for the hosts. This was a night to forget for Wales who failed to score a single point for the first time in Six Nations history.

Here are the players ratings for another disappointing result for Wales. You can read the full report here.

Liam Williams 5

Williams had very little opportunity to show his capabilities with ball in hand and was constantly on the back foot. Got stepped by Antoine Dupont

Tom Rogers 6

Started the game well with a terrific try-saving tackle on Antoine Dupont. The Scarlets man put huge pressure on France in the air in the first-half and looked dangerous with ball in hand.

Owen Watkin 5

An early knock on but made up for it soon after by stripping the ball in contact to create an opportunity out wide. A few decent carries but was forced to leave the field after just 26 minutes with what looked like a serious knee injury

Nick Tompkins 5

Forced to play on the backfoot and was always under pressure but the Saracens man failed to spark Wales’ attack when in possession.

Josh Adams 5

The Cardiff wing got exposed defensively on a few occasions and missed an early tackle on his opposite number Théo Attissogbé which put Wales under severe pressure

Ben Thomas 5

Showed glimpses of his attacking threat in the first-half with a couple of half-breaks while his kicking out of hand was decent. But Wales’ attack ran out of ideas in the second-half, albeit behind a beaten pack.

Tomos Williams 5

If you didn’t feel sorry for the Gloucester scrum-half who was constantly on the back foot then you have a heart of stone. Even the great Antoine Dupont would have struggled behind a pack that was losing the gainline to the extent Wales were.

Williams struggled but it’s always difficult on the back foot.

Gareth Thomas 6

Put in a huge defensive shift with 17 tackles while he was also solid at scrum time. But struggled to get over the gainline against a powerful France pack.

Evan Lloyd 5

Started well with a couple of powerful carries while his darts were accurate. But was very lucky not to receive a red card after his shoulder made direct contact with the face of Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Henry Thomas 6

Scrummaged well but was part of a Wales pack which got taken to the cleaners. But the Scarlets prop was one of the better players, getting through 12 tackles which isn’t bad for a tighthead.

Will Rowlands 5

The experienced Wales lock worked his socks off but like so many of his teammates struggled to assert himself physically. Wales need more from the Racing 92 lock.

Dafydd Jenkins 5

The Exeter Chiefs lock is a real workhorse and ended the game as top tackler with 24. But the 22-year-old missed a crucial tackle on Antoine Dupont in the lead up to the third French try.

James Botham 5

Tried hard and offered himself as a carrier while he put a shift in defensively. But failed to slow down the speed of the home sides ruck ball.

Jac Morgan 8

The Wales captain got through a mountain of work putting in 21 tackles but didn’t get any joy at the breakdown. Wales’ top carrier and led from the front.

Aaron Wainwright N/A

Was forced from the field after a minute with a nasty facial injury.

Replacements

Elliot Dee 5

Offered himself as a carrier and tackled his heart out.

Nicky Smith 7

Scrummaged very well putting France under pressure and made some headway with his carrying. Pushing hard for a start in Rome

Keiron Assiratti 5

Tried his best but the game was already lost when he entered the fray.

Freddie Thomas 5

Received a yellow card for being offside despite looking clearly onside. Took one for the team.

Tommy Reffell 5

Played the vast majority of the game after Aaron Wainwright was forced from the field after a minute. One textbook turnover but like most of his teammates struggled with the French physicality.

Rhodri Williams 5

Tried his best but it was always going to be difficult to make an impact with so little time.

Dan Edwards 5

Couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to his Test career. Didn’t look out of place but it was always going to be difficult to make an impact behind a beaten pack.

Blair Murray 5

Didn’t have enough time to make an impact.

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