The two Camilles struck in the 100^th minute – yes, 100^th minute – to condemn Wales to defeat in Paris. Camille Chat was awarded the try (others thought it was Damien Chouly who actually touched down!) as France burrowed over from close range and Camille Lopez slotted the conversion in a bizarre ending to a rather poor Six Nations game.

Six penalties from Leigh Halfpenny had Wales leading 18-13 going into the closing stages, but a penalty five metres from the Welsh line in the 80^th minute resulted in a series of scrums (and further penalties), a yellow card for Samson Lee (the game went on for so long he returned from the bin!), controversy over replacements (was Uini Atonio injured when he was replaced by Rabah Slimani in added time?) and even a claim of biting from George North.

It was a high-drama finish to a pretty low-drama game, but it was a pretty farcical additional 20 minutes and the Wales back-room team were clearly unhappy with the handling of certain areas by the officials.

WHAT’S HOT

Halfpenny’s boot – Leigh Halfpenny has struggled to hit his usual high standards since returning from injury, but in Paris he found form with his boot, kicking half his six penalties from just a metre or two inside the French half. The confidence he no doubt gained from his goalkicking then showed in the rest of his game – he was far more prevalent in Wales’ attack than in previous games and was solid at the back too. A vintage display from the boot for the full-back, if not a vintage match overall.

On target: Leigh Halfpenny kicks a long-range penalty. Photo: Getty Images

Special mention also to Justin Tipuric, who was everywhere in this match. Not only was he immense in defence but he often popped up as a link player in attack. A fine game.

(A few) flashes of brilliance – It’s hard to hail the attacking consistency of either team but there were sparks here and there, particularly from les Bleus. France started like a train but then went off the rails, handling errors preventing them from converting scoring opportunities into points. Remi Lamerat scored the opening try when collecting a Camille Lopez chip kick and Gael Fickou was prominent, hitting the line at pace and trying to find support runners, but the back-line simply weren’t accurate enough.

Central figure: Gael Fickou tries to get past Jamie Roberts. Photo: Getty Images

Wales, on the other hand, were pretty solid in defence, scrambling well, but had only one try-scoring opportunity. Dan Biggar’s pass to George North was knocked on by Virimi Vakatawa in the tackle, earning the France winger a questionable yellow card, and the chance was gone. Overall, it was not a great advert for attacking rugby.

Brassed off! – The brass bands at either end of the ground were great at firing up the crowd at pertinent moments. A much more welcome addition than the music pumped out over the loud speakers.

Tradition: French players are clapped off by Wales at the end. Photo: Getty Images

WHAT’S NOT

Ball control – Both sides were guilty of this but Wales especially. Loose passes, knock-ons and, most of all, a lack of protection at the contact area resulted in the break down of attacks and turnovers. It was scrappy at times. Passes needed to be crisper and more accurate when space was found out wide. And the Welsh needed to be more aware of goings-on at the breakdown to ensure they didn’t allow France to either overpower them or pinch the ball when it had come out of the ruck. Those sort of errors equal opportunities lost.

The Welsh scrum – Wales struggled at scrum time from the first ‘crouch, touch, set’. The French power was obvious and at times overwhelming, with Wales conceding several penalties in that area. That came to the fore in the closing minutes with double-figure penalties awarded to France in that added time period and Wayne Barnes must have been close to going a step further and awarding a penalty try. Wales were not helped by the fact both their starting locks had gone off injured so they had Luke Charteris packing down in the engine room with Taulupe Faletau.

Red warning: Wales came under pressure at the scrum. Photo: Getty Images

There were collapses, resets, substitution controversies and more in those closing minutes where France were camped deep in Wales’ 22 and it was pretty chaotic at certain points – Barnes had to go over to the fourth official to find out what was happening with regards replacements. In the end, 20 minutes past the 80 mark, French managed to squeeze over from close range and the final whistle finally blew.

The controversy is likely to go on much longer, however. Rob Howley questioned the process that saw Rabah Slimani replace Uini Atonio for an HIA during that series of scrums late on, particularly as Slimani was seen warming up before the replacement happened.

“Integrity in this game is pretty important and player welfare is equally important,” said Howley. “What happened in the last ten minutes shouldn’t happen again on an international rugby field. The process leading up to the change of the French tighthead coming off… we love our game too much to have those decisions and ultimately the outcome of the game is hugely disappointing.

“He (Slimani) was warming up prior to going back on. One of their coaches was outside the technical area and had a conversation with the doctor. He’s then gone on to taken the tighthead off. The evidence suggests it wasn’t in the integrity if our game.”

There is still a lot of confusion. Guy Noves said he didn’t know what Atonio’s injury was in his post-match press conference. Howley said the prop was heard on the referee’s mike saying he had a sore back but was fine. Then it appears he was taken off for an HIA. This one is set to run.

Attention spans – The French crowd were vocal in their cheers (when France did something liked) and jeers (when Wales did something they didn’t), but they didn’t remain engage – until those final 20 minutes. The Mexican wave made an early appearance in the first half and the dance music played by a live DJ before kick-off and at half-time was completely unnecessary.

All smiles: Remi Lamerat celebrates after scoring the opening try. Photo: Getty Images

STATISTICS

591 – Metres made by France compared to 337 by Wales. They also made seven line breaks to Wales’ two.

21 – Tackles made by Justin Tipuric, ten more than France’s top tackler Kevin Gourdan.

64% – Territory France had, no doubt increased by those last 20 minutes in the Wales 22. They also had 59% possession.

France: B Dulin; N Nakaitaci, R Lamerat F Trinh-Duc 66), G Fickou, V Vakatawa (Y Huget 55); C Lopez (F Trinh-Duc 33-39), B Serin (A Dupont 19-25, 72); C Baille (U Atonio 55), G Guirado (capt, C Chat 72), R Slimani (E Ben Arous 55), S Vahaamahina (J Le Devedec 77), Y Maestri, F Sanconnie (D Chouly 55), K Gourdon, L Picamoles.

Tries: Lamerat, Chat. Cons: Lopez 2. Pens: Lopez 2.

Yellow card: Vakatawa (19min).

Wales: L Halfpenny (T Francis 86-93); G North, J Davies, S Williams (J Roberts 54), L Williams; D Biggar, R Webb; R Evans (N Smith 98), K Owens, T Francis (S Lee 60), J Ball (S Baldwin 60, Moriarty 72), AW Jones (capt, L Charteris 52), S Warburton, J Tipuric, R Moriarty (T Faletau 54).

Pens: Halfpenny 6.

Yellow card: Lee (83min).

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