By Paul Jones
Alun Wyn Jones admitted poor discipline cost Wales as they suffered last-gasp heartbreak in Paris and saw their Six Nations Grand Slam dreams end with a dramatic 32-30 defeat by France.
Wayne Pivac’s side looked like they would seal a clean sweep after they scored tries through Dan Biggar, Josh Navidi and Josh Adams before France’s Paul Willemse was red carded.
But in an astonishing finale at the Stade de France, Wales pair Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams were both yellow carded and Brice Dulin’s try with the clock in the red zone won it for the hosts.
Wales can still win the title on points difference, but their hopes of a fifth straight Championship victory were denied right at the death.
“We didn’t win the game which was the main aim of the day. We played pretty well for the 80 minutes and it went down to the dying seconds,” said heartbroken Wales captain Jones.
“I think our poor discipline brought the pressure on and credit to France for the way they played in the last 15 minutes. It’s very disappointing because we knew what was at stake in this game.”
France scored through Romain Taofifenua, Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon and Dulin whose last-gasp effort brought the curtain down on one of the best games in Six Nations history.
France will have to beat Scotland with a bonus point on Friday to steal the title from Wales.
“The title is not in our hands now and we invited the pressure on late on,” said Jones.
“We have been very proud and privileged to play in this tournament, but it’s out of our hands now although hopefully we have made the country proud.”
Willemse saw red for making contact with the eye of Wales prop Wyn Jones, but France head coach Fabian Galthie made an extraordinary claim Pivac’s side had got him sent off.
Galthie said: “I don’t think he deserves a heavy sanction. If you watch it there is clearly no contact, or if there is, it’s clearly very limited.
“It’s absolutely not voluntary. If you really watch the reaction of the Welsh players, they specialise in making the opponents get red cards.
“Their body language is quite clear. I hope the referee takes that into consideration. I don’t think Paul deserves a sanction.”
France team manager Raphael Ibanez said: “It was an incredible finish, but we have mixed emotions. “It was a fantastic battle for the whole game and an incredible effort from the boys.
“You have to believe at all times and the intensity was immense. Wales fought right until the end, but we will take a lot of confidence from this result.
“I have lost my voice, but now we have to regroup because we still have a chance to win the Six Nations.”
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton hailed Wales’ impressive display despite the final result.
Pivac’s side had a horror 2020, but have found their feet in this Championship.
Warburton told BBC Sport: “Wales were brilliant but then France had the red card it literally gave them the licence to throw the kitchen sink at Wales.
“From that point they began to get some dominance and then Wales started giving away penalties and yellow cards which started a downward spiral.
“None of us saw that happening. It took the red card before France started playing.
“Taking my Welsh hat off what an unbelievable bit of entertainment that was. “Every game Wales have been in has been full of drama from minute one to minute 80. This is the best Wales have played under the new coaching regime.”