The French women's rugby team dominated Wales (38-7) on Saturday in Cardiff, for their second match of the Six Nations Tournament. The players will face Ireland in Clermont-Ferrand next weekend.
Published on: 04/18/2026 - 7:09 p.m. Modified on: 04/18/2026 - 11:23 p.m.
The French women's XV won their second match of the Six Nations Tournament against Wales on Saturday April 18 in Cardiff (38-7), with the offensive bonus, remaining in the race for the Grand Slam despite a still mixed first period.
The Blues, weighed down by their indiscipline and the balls carried, were held in check at the break (7-7) before winning in the second half. They will face Ireland in Clermont-Ferrand next weekend, a tougher adversity than the Welsh, who have only won one match in the last two editions of the Tournament.
After a clear improved victory against Italy (40-7, but only 5-0 at the break) to start the Tournament and the mandate of coach François Ratier, the Blues keep all the cards in hand for victory in the competition, won systematically by the English, current world champions, since 2019.
The English are also leading the competition, on points difference, after their demonstration against Scotland at Murrayfield (84-7) earlier Saturday.
But the teammates of pillar Yllana Brosseau, penalized with four penalties in 13 minutes, which earned her a yellow card, will have to do much better in the match against England on the last day. Particularly on carried balls, where they fell back a lot and even conceded a penalty try (7-0, 14th) accompanied by a yellow card for scrum half Pauline Bourdon Sansus.
Improved victory
At 13 against 15 for 10 minutes, the Blues paradoxically finally got their hands on the ball, played more simply and moved forward: when the two French women returned to the field, the score was 7-7 after a try from Fall Raclot (21st).
But they failed to maintain this momentum, and at the break, the French had been sanctioned more times (8) than their number of points scored, compared to a single penalty against the Welsh. Facing the wind in the second period, the Blues shifted gears, emphasizing more in the middle. Manae Feleu allowed the Blues to take the advantage after several periods of confrontational play (46th), then Pauline Bourdon Sansus made her class speak by cleverly launching Léa Murie (54th) then scoring a try by escaping close to a carried ball (60th).
The acquired offensive bonus did not slow down the ardor of the Blues against the Welsh who were now absolutely harmless and who in turn accumulated penalties (nine in the second half, two against France).
Anaïs Grando added a little more depth to the score with her second and third tries in two selections by sneaking through the Welsh defense (71st, 79th).
With AFP
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