It says everything about Welsh rugby that humiliating France defeat was an improvement

And considering the Antoine Dupont-inspired visitors – of which his half-back, Matthieu Jalibert, maybe enjoying his best performance in the blue shirt – were 19-0 ahead after only 15 minutes, it was something of an achievement for Wales to limit the damage of the ensuing 65 minutes to 35-14. 

Indeed, the scoreline might not even have reflected the improvement in the Welsh from the insipid dross they delivered in the 48-7 annihilation against England eight days before. 

Their defence was better, their set-piece was in a different class and at last, after two games of not even scoring a point in the first half of their last two Tests, they gave the Welsh public something to cheer on before they went off to get their leek bovril. 

But still, they lost by 42 points and this was their worst defeat in Cardiff against France. Furthermore, it was their 13th Six Nations defeat in succession and their 21st loss in 23 games in the the championship since winning the title in 2021.  

Regardless of whatever signs of promise the red-shirted faithful carried out into the wet Welsh air on Sunday evening, this must now be regarded as one of the most dramatically quick downfalls in the history of any sport.

A third wooden spoon beckons and with the Welsh Rugby Union overseeing something approaching a civil war in the domestic game, it is all the governing body deserves. It is a shocking mess.

More to follow…

Scoring sequence 0-5 Gailleton try, 0-7 Ramos con; 0-12 Bielle-Biarrey try; 0-17 Brau-Boirie try, 0-19 Ramos con; 5-19 Carre try, 7-19 Edwards con; 7-24 Jalibert try, 7-26 Ramos con; 7-31 Marchand try, 7-33 Lopez con; 7-38 Attissogbe try, 7-40 Ramos con; 7-45 Attissogbe try, 7-47 Ramos con; 7-52 Ollivon try, 7-54 Ramos con; 12-54 Grady try.