Women's Six Nations 2015: France 28-7 Wales

France were leading 11-0 at the interval in Montauban

France remain on course for the Grand Slam after ending Wales' 100% record in the women's Six Nations.

Gaelle Migno scored an early try for the hosts as Wales had to defend heroically for long periods.

Wales were down to 13 players after two yellow cards in the second half and conceded a penalty try and a Julie Billes try.

Billes's second try sealed victory but Wales' efforts were rewarded with a late penalty try.

Wales went into the game in Montauban top of the Six Nations table courtesy of a slightly better points difference than their French opponents after wins over England and Scotland.

France went ahead with a well worked try after six minutes with hooker Migno crossing following a catch and drive from a rolling maul but Tremouliere failed to convert.

The home side were on top during the opening stages and only some dogged defence by Wales kept the hosts out although a Tremouliere penalty extended France's lead.

Wales continued to be pinned back and France were only denied a second try by Rachel Taylor's brave intervention and there was further frustration for the hosts when Tremouliere missed a penalty.

Wales had beaten England and Scotland in their opening Six Nations games

Having withstood a sustained spell of pressure, Wales reached the French 22 for the first time and although awarded a penalty they elected to kick for touch.

The visitors were awarded another penalty as the first half drew to a close but Laurie Harries pulled her kick from a tight angle wide of the post.

But it was France who had the last word with another impressive driving maul resulting in Sioned Harries receiving a yellow card and Tremouliere slotting over a penalty to make it 11-0 at the interval.

French forward power continued to cause problems early in the second half as Wales defended desperately on their own try line.

With Hywel already in the sin-bin they were reduced to 13 players when Caryl Thomas was yellow carded for not releasing the ball in a ruck.

Inevitably French pressure resulted in a penalty try being rewarded and Tremouliere added the extras with the simplest of conversions.

France were making the most of their numerical advantage and wing Billes raced in to score a third try in the corner, although Tremouliere failed to convert.

Wales could do nothing to prevent a second try in the same corner by Billes but again Tremouliere did not add the conversion.

Rhys Edwards's side battled until the end and a strong finish was rewarded with a penalty try, converted by Laurie Harries.

FRANCE WOMEN

Jessy Tremouliere (Romagnat), Shannon Izar (Lille-Villeneuve D'ascq), Elodie Poublan (Montpellier), Céline Heguy (Bayonne), Julie Billes (USAP), Camille Cabalou (Bayonne), Yanna Rivoalen (Lille-Villeneuve d'Ascq); Lise Arricastre (Lons), Gaelle Mignot (Montpellier - captain), Christelle Chobet (USAP), Marine De Nadaï (Montpellier), Céline Ferer (Bayonne), Coumba Tombe Diallo (Stade Bordelais), Laëtitia Grand (Lons), Safi N'Diaye (Montpellier)

Replacments: Wendy Divoux (USAP), Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise), Audrey Forlani (Blagnac - Saint Orens), Pauline Rayssac (Montpellier), Marjorie Mayans (Blagnac- Saint Orens), Carla Neisen (Blagnac - Saint Orens), Caroline Boujard (USAP), Patricia Carricaburu (Lons)

WALES WOMEN

Dyddgu Hywell (Pontyclun/Scarlets), Elen Evans (Waterloo/Scarlets), Adi Taviner (Skewen/Ospreys), Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North/Blues), Laurie Harries (Llandaff North/Blues), Elinor Snowsill (Dragons), Amy Day (Llandaff North/Dragons); Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies/Scarlets), Carys Phillips (Skewen/Ospreys), Catrin Edwards (Llandaff North/Scarlets), Rebecca Rowe (London Welsh/Dragons), Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies/Dragons - captain), Sian Williams (Worcester/Dragons), Sioned Harries (Whitland/Scarlets), Shona Powell Hughes (Skewen/Ospreys)

Replacements: Amy Lawrence (Skewen/Ospreys), Jenny Davies (Caernarfon/Blues), Amy Evans (Skewen/Ospreys), Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North/Blues), Melissa Clay (Pencoed/Ospreys), Keira Bevan (Skewen/Ospreys), Gemma Rowland (Wasps/Dragons), Kerin Lake (Skewen/Ospreys)