Attissogbe, Bielle-Biarrey doubles help France to Wales demolition

Wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe both scored twice as Six Nations favourites France started the tournament with a comfortable 43-0 home win over Wales on Friday.

Bielle-Biarrey and Attissogbe made their contributions in a 22-minute first-half spell, putting down a statement for France's title hopes before the hosts finished the game down a man following a late Romain Ntamack red card making him a doubt for next Saturday's trip to England.

The defeat marked a record-extending 13th straight Test loss for Wales and a first failure to score a single point in a game since 2007, increasing pressure on coach Warren Gatland before heading to perennial under-achievers Italy next weekend.

Les Bleus coach Fabien Galthie named Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou on the bench for their first Test since they were investigated over rape claims last year before they were dismissed.

When Jegou and Auradou's names were read out pre-match in-front of 77,000 fans they were welcomed with cheers by the vocal crowd. But they were met by boos and whistles when they came off the bench.

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont skippered the hosts after missing last season's Six Nations to focus on playing seven-a-side rugby at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Gatland, in his 150th game in charge of Wales, recalled experienced full-back Liam Williams and winger Josh Adams as the New Zealander looked to claim a first international win since October 2023.

The buzzing pre-match atmosphere stepped up a gear with the anthems and an acapella version of La Marseillaise with the home support in an expectant mood for the fixture and the Championship as a whole.

Les Bleus underlined their favourites tags for not just the game but the tournament, crossing the Wales line after