France beats Wales 21-16 in 6 Nations

The result lifted France back into title contention beside Wales and Ireland, the only undefeated side. Ireland, which hasn't won the title since 1985, hosts England on Saturday. It hasn't achieved a Grand Slam since 1948.

France was given little chance against Wales, even at home. Injuries had forced coach Marc Lievremont to try an experimental backline without a recognized kicker, only five days after the majority had played in the French Top 14.

Yet they restricted the settled and powerful Welsh to just three points after halftime.

“This victory is almost illogical,” Lievremont said, adding it was “a mini miracle.”

Lee Byrne's converted first-half try and Stephen Jones' two penalties put Wales ahead. But all heavily favored Wales could muster in a second half dominated by France was James Hook's penalty.

“We had them by the throat,” France captain and lock Lionel Nallet said. “Tonight Wales weren't able to put their game in place.”

Thierry Dusautoir and Cedric Heymans went over for tries and scrumhalf Morgan Parra kicked three penalties and a conversion as France ended Wales' hope of consecutive Six Nations Grand Slams.

“They set the bar very high today,” Lievremont said of his players. “The challenge is to continue that.”

France still has to travel to England and Italy.

Wales center Tom Shanklin said his team had to recover quickly to bounce back with victories over Italy and Ireland to hold on to the title.

“We are obviously pretty down now but there's two games left and we have got to perform well,” he said. “There was a stage, probably five or 10 minutes, when it was 13-13, and we probably needed to play a little bit smarter. I think maybe we were playing in our half a little bit too much. We gave everything out there, it was tough, it's a tough pill to swallow this is.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland said the French had come in for plenty of criticism for recent performances and had responded well.

“They were a bit more desperate than we were. They've been under a lot of pressure,” said the Kiwi who led Wales to last season's Grand Slam. Of his own team, he said, “Sometimes you need a little kick up the backside to see how they respond.”

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