Late loss for Francis in Paris

By Mark Stevens
18/3/17

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis suffered Six Nations disappointment as France snatched a dramatic and controversial win over Wales in an extraordinary encounter at the Stade De France.

Trailing by five points with the clock ticking past 100 minutes, Damien Chouly drove over from close range and Camille Lopez's conversion clinched the win.

Earlier, full-back Leigh Halfpenny had kicked six penalties - three from 50 metres-plus - to cancel out Remi Lamerat's early try for the hosts.

The match, however, will live long in the memory for the 20-minute added time barrage on the Wales line.

Referee Wayne Barnes issued a yellow card to Samson Lee - on as a second half replacement for Francis - in the 82nd minute and had to deal with a claim of biting on Wales wing George North in the face of a tumultuous home crowd.

TV match official Peter Fitzgibbon could not find any clear footage so the game was allowed to continue.

Barnes also allowed France to replace tight-head prop Uini Atonio with Rabah Slimani who had earlier been replaced, with the France team doctor insisting Atonio needed a head injury assessment.

Lee had returned to bring Wales back up to 15 men before Chouly claimed the decisive score after a series of penalties near the Wales line.

It was a remarkable end to a difficult Six Nations campaign for Wales which sees them finish fifth and with three defeats for the first time since 2010.