Six Nations 2020: Wales ratings as North’s concussion hell strikes again but Biggar shows heart of a dragon vs France
WALES came up just short as France recorded their first win at the Principality Stadium for a decade in a Six Nations thriller.
There were massive performances for some of Les Bleus’ young stars but how did the home side get on?
Here is how SunSport’s Alex Terrell rated the Welsh in Cardiff.
BACKS
Leigh Halfpenny 7
Has been almost faultless under the high ball and again did so little wrong under the closed roof.
Perhaps the only difference between Halfpenny and absent Liam Williams is the extra finesse the latter gives the side at full-back.
George North 5
The winger is a legend in these parts, but he went off with another concussion.
North has to start asking the question — is his future life and looking after his unborn child worth taking all these hits to the head?
Fingers crossed we see North back and he is OK, because that is the biggest concern for him right now.
Nick Tompkins 8
Close to being a top drawer test match player, but still little bits to work on, like passing the ball to an opposing player.
His pass was the one that Ntamack ran on to and scored, the move that turned out to be the game changer.
Was unlucky to get turned over by Camille Chat at the end.
Hadleigh Parkes 6
When he doesn’t kick, he’s fine, but maybe the centre should avoid getting boot to ball for a while.
Josh Adams 6
Unlucky to be kept quiet, or did he just not do enough?
Looked in the groove and his battle with Teddy Thomas was a fascinating one.
Dan Biggar 8
Has the heart of a dragon, does the fly half.
A dogged performance, chasing down his own kicks and trying to turn the momentum of the game.
Gareth Davies 6
Probably hasn’t done enough to wrestle the No9 jersey off Tomos Williams for the next game.
FORWARDS
Wyn Jones 6
Solid in the scrum after last week’s uncertainty against Ireland.
Ken Owens 6
Hart to criticise the hooker, when the home side won 12 out of 13 line-outs and nine out of 10 scrums.
Dillon Lewis 7
Superb try from the prop, who is blossoming into a real talent in a red jersey.
Just needs to keep his head in defence though, his penalty count was the highest among the Welsh players and that was costly.
Jake Ball 7
Just works so hard and doesn’t give an inch.
Underrated outside Wales, but not west of the Severn.
Alun Wyn Jones 6
Not reached the giddy heights of last year and he could not convince the referee that it was a penalty try when Willemse appeared to palm the ball during a backs-to-the-wall passage.
Ross Moriarty 7
Was shifted around from blindside flanker to No8, but 13 tackles was the joint-highest among the Wales players.
SIX NATIONS NEWS
Justin Tipuric 7
Has been Wales’ best player this Six Nations and possibly the best openside in the competition, alongside Charles Ollivon.
Taulupe Faletau 6
Not back to his best since returning, but he is close and bubbling under the surface.
Taken off after the hour and replaced by Aaron Wainrwight, with Moriarty shifting to No8, who brought more explosive running into the Wales back-line.