Wales stay bottom of the 2024 Six Nations table after losing 0-40 to France at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

Tries from Annaëlle Deshayes, Joanna Grisez, Romaine Menager, Gabrielle Vernier and Manae Feleu consigned Wales to a fourth defeat of the tournament, with only Italy in the final round to come.

In contrast to last week’s performance in Ireland, Wales were much improved. Their defence was tenacious and in attack they looked to go wide through their backs.

While Wales were the better team in the middle of the park, France dominated in each of the 22s, repelling Welsh attacks and banking points each time they entered Welsh territory.

France received an early blow as Wales’ first period of possession ended with a high tackle from Anne-Cécile Ciofani on captain Hannah Jones. Hollie Davidson was sent to the screen for an on-field review and the wing was sent to the sin bin.

It was a nightmare start for the Sevens star, making her XVs debut for France this afternoon.

After a cagey opening ten minutes the game burst into life when Pauline Boudon Sansus’ quick penalty gave France the chance to counter.

The ball went through the backs’ hands and Chloe Jacquet was eventually bundled into touch by Catherine Richards and Alex Callender.

The Welsh defence switched off, though, and France pounced with a quickly taken lineout. The ball found itself in the hands of Annaëlle Deshayes who crashed over from ten metres out.

Wales responded to the early setback well. Lleucu George’s boot took her team into the France 22 and her flat passing gave the likes of Abbie Fleming and Sisilia Tuipulotu go-forward ball.

The home side kept the ball with their forwards and, inch by inch, worked their way up to five metres out. Disaster struck, though, when Sian Jones’ wide pass for Courtney Keight was intercepted by Joanna Grisez.

The wing pounced on the loose ball and sprinted the length of the pitch for an incredible 90 metre score.

Wales had not done a lot wrong in the opening fifteen minutes and yet found themselves 0-14 down.

The game was played with speed as both sides consistently tried to increase the tempo, France through quick taps and lineouts, and Wales with speed of breakdown ball and pass.

After a prolonged period of possession, Wales worked the ball wide nicely through George and Jones but Grisez’s excellent defensive read shutdown Carys Cox before she could make the break.

The resultant penalty brought the visitors into Wales’ 22, but for the second time this afternoon, the hosts’ maul defence came up trumps, winning a turnover.

Ioan Cunningham’s decision to start three recognised locks – Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, and Georgia Evans moved to number 8 – seemed to be paying dividends early on as Wales showed their power and aptitude at set piece.

Some small inaccuracies gradually crept into Wales’ game as their commitment to playing wide came under the strain of France’s blitz defence.

Wales’ defence was largely excellent in the first period, typified by Sisilia Tuipulotu’s turnover just as France found an edge out wide.

France dominated at the scrum and found their third try through Wales’ own put in. France’s front row got an excellent shove on and won the ball against the head. Debutant Teani Feleu broke away with the ball and skipped past the diving Alisha Butchers.

Richards came round on the cover but Feleu showed composure to feed Romaine Menager to cross for another French counter attacking score.

To their credit, Wales’ confidence was unfettered. George continued to kick excellently, putting Emilie Boulard under pressure in the back field and the backs always looked to go wide and fast.

Their strategy carried no shortage of risk, however, as France intercepted a wide pass again, this time Ciofani was hauled down by Richards before she could work up a head of steam.

Another French mistake at the lineout handed Wales yet another attacking platform but the pass to Alex Callender was slightly behind her and she failed to cling on in contact.

Under severe pressure in their own 22, France’s scrum just about held firm and Bourdon Sansus cleared for touch and halftime.

After the break, Wales’ discipline left them. Referee Davidson marched the hosts back ten metres after a turnover penalty was received poorly. France went to their most potent weapon of the afternoon, a scrum, and after a couple of phases, Gabrielle Vernier skipped through a tackle and dived under the posts for the bonus point score.

The game was starting to fall into a pattern: Wales’ enterprising play gained them possession and territory, while France clinicality brought them points.

Another barnstorming run from Tuipulotu gave her side an attacking platform. The newly-introduced Gwennan Hopkins carried hard and flat and suddenly there was space out wide for Wales.

Cox’s pass to Jasmine Joyce was a touch too low and the winger spilled the ball, ending another attack.

George, always looking for the inventive option, steered Wales from right to left search for the space on the wings. Finally, Wales found it with Hopkins and Cox having to be hauled down in desperate fashion.

George again spotted space before anyone else and grubbered in behind but Kayleigh Powell could not reach the ball before it dribbled out of play.

More good defensive work ensured France would not score a fifth try through Charlotte Escudero as the French lock was well held up over the try line, following a strong lineout.

The fifth would arrive shortly after, however, as Wales’ discipline left them once again. A solid French lineout gave the visitors go-forward ball and skipper Manae Feleu powered over from close range.

Another French high tackle, this time from tighthead prop Assia Khalfaoui, meant France spent another ten minutes down to 14 players.

Cunningham shuffled his pack, with Mollie Wilkinson coming on for her debut at fly-half and George shifting to inside centre.

Wales’ final attempt at playing wide ended disastrously, as Jones’ mispass was picked up by Grisez for her second score and her side’s sixth.

One final Callendar carry gave the partisan crowd something to cheer before the final whistle blew.;

Wales: 0 (0) 

France: 40 (19) Tries: Deshayes, Grisez 2, R. Menager, Vernier, M Feleu Con: Queyroi 4, Bourgeois.

Wales Team: Powell, Richards, H. Jones (c), Cox (Wilkinson 65′), Keight (Joyce 45′), George, S. Jones (Bevan 49′); Pyrs (Constable 60′), Phillips (Reardon 60′), Tuipulotu (Rose 60′); John (Hopkins 45′), Fleming (Williams 60′); Butchers, Callender, Evans.

France Team: Boulard (Bourgeois 71′), Grisez, Jacquet, Vernier, Ciofani, Queyroi (Tuy 68′), Bourdon Sansus (Chambon 60′); Deshayes (Mwayembe 57′), Sochat (Roffonneau 53′), Khalfaoui (Joyeux 65′); M. Feleu (c), Escudero; R. Menager (Fall 65′), Gros (Hermet 53′), T. Feleu.