Women's Six Nations: France 53-0 Wales - Boujard scores fine hat-trick

A first-half hat-trick by Caroline Boujard helped France breeze past Wales in their 2021 Six Nations opener at the Stade de la Rabine.

The French were rampant in attack and showed no signs of international rust as they ran in eight tries in Vannes, including two for Emeline Gros.

Fly-half Pauline Bourdon added 13 points with the boot.

It will be a night to forget for Wales head coach Warren Abrahams in his first game in charge.

He included two new caps in their starting XV in scrum-half Jess Roberts and prop Donna Rose but theirs was a harsh introduction to Test rugby against a semi-professional outfit.

Wales looked shell-shocked in the opening quarter as Boujard tore down her wing to run in three tries unopposed.

It was a disappointing start to Wales' tournament with so much of the pre-match build-up focussing on their licence to play a new brand of attacking rugby, but with missed tackles piling up their defence was left wanting.

Wales rallied in the second quarter, with skipper Siwan Lillicrap leading from the front with two clean line breaks, but opportunities to go through the phases were few and far between.

A routine catch and drive saw the hosts bag the bonus point before the break, with hooker Agathe Sochat claiming the honours at the bottom of the maul.

France number eight Emeline Gros scored two second-half tries

France extended their lead after the break, their number eight Gros shrugging off the defence to cross under the posts.

Jasmine Joyce claimed a mini-victory in charging down what should have been a straight forward conversion for Bourdon.

France almost added another try, and it was one of those which could have gone either way, but Safi N'Diaye was deemed to have lost control of the ball as she grounded it.

Wales were destroyed in the subsequent scrum, Gros adding her second of the night courtesy of the seven women in front of her.

Wales defended well in the final 10 minutes, holding up replacement scrum-half Laure Sansus, Boujard and Jessy Tremouliere over the line.

But the French had the final say, full-back Emilie Boulard scoring on her debut, while an 84th-minute try from replacement hooker Laure Touye took France past their half-century.

Wales coach Warren Abrahams said:

"Congratulations to France, they played exceptional rugby there. For us it's our attitude and effort, some really good signs of that today.

"We learned some tough lessons out there, we're still at the very beginning of our journey.

"There were some positive moments for us but it's just about the consistency... we didn't bring to life our attacking game but we had great opportunities there."

France: Emilie Boulard; Caroline Boujard, Maelle Filopon, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager; Morgane Peyronnet, Pauline Bourdon; Annaelle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat, Clara Joyeux, Coumba Diallo, Madoussou Fall, Celine Ferer, Gaelle Hermet (capt), Emeline Gros.

Replacements: Laure Touye, Rkhya Ait Lahbib, Maylis Traore, Safi N'Diaye, Marjorie Mayans, Laure Sansus, Camille Imart, Jessy Tremouliere.

Wales: Robyn Wilkins (Worcester Warriors); Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks), Hannah Jones (vice-capt, Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears); Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Jess Roberts (Sale Sharks); Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury, Donna Rose (Saracens), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Teleri Wyn Davies (Sale Sharks), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Manon Johnes (Bristol Bears), Siwan Lillicrap (capt, Bristol Bears).

Replacements: Robyn Lock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bethan Dainton (Harlequins), Natalia John (Bristol Bears), Megan Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Gemma Rowland (Bristol Bears), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears).

Referee: Nikki O'Donnell (RFU)

Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (SRU), Katherine Ritchie (RFU)

TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)