The strangest six countries and the strangest game. A head-turning and controversial upside-down contest that spilled over into a chaotic outcome reflected a tournament of action and action, and it was France that remained standing at the end – Welles’ hopes for the fifth Six Nations Grand Slam vanished on Paris night.

To wrap up the never-ending final of a match that contained everything, Bryce Doolin’s jubilant screams were finally heard as the full-back sank in joy. Heads fell as the Welsh defenders, weary of competition and doomed to their fate, ran here and there in the decisive final movement of France, desperately trying to cross; There was no final development.

Not that the game lacks drama. Dulin earlier played a prominent role in what seemed to be the game’s pivotal moment. The full-back result appears to have reduced France’s deficit to five with a diversion to come 13 minutes before the start of the match, but a check with TMO Wayne Barnes revealed Paul Willems ‘stray hand near Wayne Jones’ eye. After lengthy deliberation, referee Luke Pearce was convinced he could only be red – try, with chalk, Willemse be fired.

Incredibly, that was just the prelude to the final ten minutes of great drama. This means Wells will finish for the third time against 14, but France will finish with a numerical advantage as Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams both see yellow.

So the spaces were opened to France. Taking advantage of Charles Olivon after back-row teammate Gregory Aldrette somehow stops his shyness of launching the streak from the back of the French scrum, Romain Ntamack’s conversion to France in three. Then Dulin’s last attempt, the seventh and final of the game, a score of 32-30 that only partly tells the story.

As they did against England, France quickly started opening another 10 minutes to test the lungs. After Dulin lifted a penalty in the corner, Gregory Alldritt was dragged shy down the Welsh streak around the corner after an impressive move. Giant Paul Williams tire was pushed in an inch; Hidden Roman Tauffenoa found the last foot for scoring.

However, as was the case a week ago, the beautiful tone in France invited their opponents to dance. The display of Charles Olivon’s hand was all that prevented Gareth Davis from scoring within three minutes of the opening game for France, but the response came soon after, the last sandal eventually from the beating ram to break the door presented in the unexpected form of Dan Bigger on a ball. Crash.

However, the moment of real splendor in the first half will come from the French. Doolin advanced in danger after a loose Welsh kick, flanked by Matthew Galibert and Antoine Dupont lurking. An exhilarating Dulin chip in the left foot was gently refreshed for its fly-half, and a quick jump to Dupont’s effervescent allowed the comfortable half boat.

There was time thus far in Wales’ opening quarter to tie up again as Josh Navidi was swinging in order to settle matters again. It was nothing more than they deserved: with the strangely passive France side in defense, the Welsh attack was called upon to play flat and at high tempo, with the brilliant Biggar set a percussion beat with wandering wings and the strikers arriving with intent.

Both were followed by a penalty kick just before halftime as the match briefly settled on adagio’s pace, but after the interval accident broke out again. Welles seized his momentum with a penalty kick and then extended his lead to ten, Josh Adams controversially decided he managed to pass the ball past Dylan Cretin’s hand into the lawn as the pair floundered after slashing Justin Tiborich and Tomos Williams’ sliding finger.

Wells’ hopes for the Grand Slams were boosted after another eight minutes when Mohamed Hawass saw the first card in the match, and it was perhaps fortunate for Pearce that Pearce was not sure he would score because he hit the Welsh with the pistons. Biggar added three, and the Welsh lead was ten again.

And then, the last quarter, and all the drama that came, the game progressed with relentless card from snag to disruption like a heist movie. A six-nation victory could be a win for Wales, as France must beat Scotland with an extra point in the postponed finale of this year’s competition and claim the victory. For now, though, Wayne Bevac’s side should have thought about what it could have been.