Wales Women 5-33 France: Clinical French possess too much for resilient Wales

France kept their hopes of a Grand Slam alive with a dominant win over Wales at the Arms Park.

Four first-half tries, including a brace from the influential Laure Sansus, put the visitors in control at the break. However, Ioan Cunningham's side responded well in the second-half - matching France with one try each after Sioned Harries stretched over with the final play of the match.

The world's third-best side were always favourites for this one, despite Wales' improved showings in the early rounds of the Women's Six Nations, and that shone through as Sansus raced over after 10 minutes.

Winger Caroline Boujard doubled France's lead at the end of the first quarter after managing to dot down a cross-kick from Jessy Tremouliere.

A loose kick from a quick tap penalty handed France their third, with full-back Chloe Jacquet running it back with aplomb. Minutes later, Sansus was over for her second after the ball squirted out of a Welsh scrum near their own line.

Wales came out improved in the second-half, but they couldn't stop France grabbing a fifth as Tremouliere sailed over following a powerful French scrum.

However, Wales got the score they deserved following relentless pressure at the death - with Harries reaching over from close range.

Wales: Kayleigh Powell; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Robyn Wilkins, Jasmine Joyce; Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Cerys Hale, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Alisha Butchers, Bethan Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap (captain).

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Cara Hope, Donna Rose, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries, Ffion Lewis, Kerin Lake, Niamh Terry

France: Chloe Jacquet; Caroline Boujard, Maelle Filopon, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager; Jessy Tremouliere, Laure Sansus; Annaelle Deshaye,