The XV of France inflicted a heavy defeat on Wales (54-12) on Sunday in Cardiff, signing a second improved success in two days of the Six Nations Tournament. The only team still undefeated in this 2026 edition, the Blues confirm their status as favorites and remain in the race for an 11th Grand Slam.

Published on: 02/15/2026 - 6:27 p.m. Modified on: 02/16/2026 - 10:43 a.m.

The XV of France, without pity for the very weak Welsh, signed a record victory (54-12) in Cardiff on Sunday February 15. He has a second improved success in as many days, which places him as the last candidate for the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament.

With ten points on the clock, the Blues, already favorites before the start of the competition, are now the only undefeated nation, and offered themselves a festival on the lawn of Wales.

If Fabien Galthié had warned his men, and in particular his young guard, against "the emotional dimension" which could seize them when entering one of the most legendary stadiums in world rugby, the Red Devils who presented themselves against them were not infernal, and quickly took on water in the face of the French pummeling.

By winning under the closed roof of a Principality Stadium somewhat shunned by supporters disillusioned by the repeated setbacks of their protégés, the Blues took, for the first time in history, the upper hand over the Welsh, with 52 victories against 51 in a total of 106 confrontations (3 draws).

Better still, the French beat their record for the highest number of points scored against Wales, erasing the mark from 1998 (51-0 at Wembley).

But in what concerns them most, namely the quest for an 11th Grand Slam, they are above all four steps ahead of Scotland, where they will go at the beginning of March after receiving Italy in Lille next week, and five ahead of the English rival, defeated by the XV du Chardon at Murrayfield on Saturday (31-20).

The pair of Pau centers, made up of Fabien Brau-Boirie for his first selection at 20 years old and Emilien Gailleton (22 years old, 12th salt.), aligned due to the withdrawals of the two Bordelo-Béglais Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortère, constituted one of the attractions of the game before the match.

Sparkling Jalibert

The most worried French supporters did not take long to be reassured: from the first seconds, Brau-Boirie implemented his impressive activity, and after a shift from their club teammate Théo Attissogbe on the wing, well relayed by Charles Ollivon, Emilien Gailleton went to flatten on his first ball.

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Enough to knock out the Welsh from the outset, already disoriented by recent nightmarish seasons, punctuated by only two small victories, against Japan, in the last 24 matches.

And what followed did not reassure them, Jalibert showing with his vision and his accuracy the class of gap separating the two selections to serve as a perfectly felt kicking game for the inevitable Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing (12-0, 11th). To avoid making anyone jealous, "Jalib'" did it again on the other wing in the second act for Attissogbe (58ᵉ).

The UBB opener, lined up as a hinge with Antoine Dupont, as against Ireland delivered a breathtaking score, multiplying the classy gestures, the breakthroughs and the overhands which are his signature, distilling three assists in the process.

Read also Exciting Blues beat Ireland for their entry into the Tournament

For his first, Brau-Boirie fully participated in the festival by scoring his first try among the big boys (15th), before Jalibert himself took charge of the fourth try, synonymous with an offensive bonus from the 39th minute.

In a second one-sided act, Julien Marchand on a carried ball (44th) and Ollivon (61st) celebrated their 50th selection in blue by offering themselves a try each, and the French staff took advantage of the demonstration to give rest to captain Antoine Dupont and playing time to his replacement at the scrum, Baptiste Serin, who entered in the 59th.

"LBB", author of his 23rd try in 24 selections on Sunday, also gave a trial ball to Attissogbe (49th), and if the French game lost fluidity at the end of the game, the abysmal gap on the scoreboard can explain a drop in speed.

The Welsh took the opportunity to give a little relief to their score by Mason Grady (78ᵉ), and save a little honor.

With AFP

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