So how did France destroy Wales? | Men's Six Nations 2025

France kicked off the 2025 Six Nations in pretty emphatic fashion, smashing an off-the-pace Welsh side. But with four rounds yet to go, how did Les Bleu do it, is there any hope for Cymru, and can France go all the way?
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[@philbatchelor9325]

'One of Wales 2 best defenders: Josh Adams and the touchline' cracked me up.

[@paulbarbat1926]

The touchline is the best defender in World Rugby. Unflinching in contact, unmovable, always in position and thus as trustworthy as the sentence "Ramos is a madman", which means something in a team game, you want your teammates to be predictable. The touchline is to defense what Ireland is to attack. You know it's there, you know what it's gonna do ; good luck stopping it. The second best defender in World Rugby is the winger who can use it the best

[@katielawless3450]

got a good giggle out of me too

[@grempal]

The touchline is the best defender on every team because it never misses a tackle

[@aldozilli1293]

I have to commend you Squidge. This is by far the best analysis of any Rugby related channel, or sport in general. The way you break it down and highlight the key parts of the game are absolutely brilliant and second to none. Keep it up, this is the only Rugby channel worth watching.

[@nathanlee2575]

Squidge changed the game for fans wanting in depth analysis 👏

[@Rugby-ski]

There are 2 or 3 in French too, for example "UpRugby"

[@france4me117]

Totally agree

[@RhysWilliams-u3o]

​@@nathanlee2575i agree a few squige vids makes you sound like a rugby guru at the pub😂

[@nicolaskluzek]

Fantastic performance by Morgan, what a player! As a French fan, I really want Walles to recover as soon as possible, the Welsh were brave and actually interesting as soon as they put speed in their attacking game...go on Cymru!

[@cheesecake6696]

As an Irish fan I thought I'd really enjoy results like these for a gatland coached Wales team, but instead it leaves me sad. Heres hoping theres a welse resurgence soon.

[@johnf991]

We meet again!!

[@Pabloso213]

A fair comment and accurate. As a rebuilding team,it’ll take a while but Wales will shut up a few teams in the future that could be another 8 games away but it’ll happen. All the mockers will mock while they can 😀

[@nicolaskluzek]

@ haha yes we're both cycling around!!!

[@nicolaskluzek]

@ Ignore the haters. There's never any shame in losing; it's part of the game. Any person who engages in sports or any difficult task knows that. Welsh rugby went through a huge crisis, the end of a brilliant generation, club and federation finances, etc. But Walles is a great rugby nation and always will be. All teams go through a tough patch here and there, but the dragon will roar again.

[@simonrook5743]

The irony is that the defence by wales wasn’t bad, but the attack was so hideously woefully toothless that it meant France could take more risks and had a lot of ball on the attack and from better positions than they shouldn’t have been getting in, the result was inevitable.

[@grempal]

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to watch the game, only highlights, and this analysis, but I think your statement needs a correction. Wales forward defense wasn't bad. However, I don't think I saw a play in anything I've watched where Wales ' backs weren't out of position or best case scenario(for the backs) poorly positioned to contain an overload that wasn't necessarily their fault.

[@crazycjk]

A) great analysis B) I think this was one of the best scripts for a video you've ever done. Thoroughly enjoyed it

[@Maxiiim02]

Truly, a great script 👌.

[@HeartShapedBox93]

Squidge, excellent as always. A truly decadent 15 minutes in a busy life. Have you ever noticed that the Welsh NEVER pass the ball in front of the receiver? Every pass seems to stop the receiver in their tracks. I know this is a fun video, but I just can’t believe this is never mentioned. Joe Schmidt would vomit if watching.

[@SquidgeRugby]

That's a really good observation. It gets to the heart of something I had in my notes but couldn't put my finger on. Thank you! May well credit you in a video down the line if it continues as a trend

[@shinywarm6906]

nailed it. The Welsh runners are constantly moving on a start-stop-start again pattern. The defenders just wait for them to arrive, eventually

[@thewelshdm]

This is something Gatland loved to blame the regions for all the time saying "players skills weren't up to international standard", but I've watched the regions this season, it's not true. Something about Wales' training just cause them to have no cohesion and comfort with each other. Maybe if Gatland started picking combinations from regional level and/or allowing them to bed in at international level we'd see some progress

[@ashleyturner7986]

Also the Welsh pack seem to know this and therefore take every ball off 9/10 standing still. It seems very rare to see a Welsh leading run or a hard line in motion before 9 has picked up the ball.

[@shinywarm6906]

@@ashleyturner7986 yes, is this a result of the slowness of ball from contact. We rely on one-up runners with support arriving a couple of seconds later instead of going into contact in twos or threes. This gives the opposition opportunity to prevent quick ball and our next phase runners do this start-stop-start again thing

[@Psycholoque]

Hello, French subscriber here. I've been watching your videos for over a year now I wish you'd add subtitles to your videos. I think a lot of non-English speakers watch them since they're really good rugby analysis content (and the best rugby content on KZbin IMO) but at times it can be hard to understand everything you say, especially for KZbin's automatic subtitles.

[@MatthewMakesAU]

If you sign up for his patreon you get full scripts

[@A-world-of-My-Own]

I am a UK speaker, and I find it hard. I slow the speech down to 0.75 which helps some. I feel your pain.

[@Rugby-ski]

Avec un abonnement payant (Patreon) on reçoit le texte par email.

[@Opitoukisskiss]

C'est quand même plus compréhensible que la tactique de la sélection galloise.

[@druid6722]

@@Opitoukisskiss That's the truth :(

[@stephane.namaskar]

Cher/Dear Squidge, you 're simply the best and most enjoyable rugby analyst there currently is. From a French fan: bravo Monsieur!👌👌

[@RhysWilliams-u3o]

Another video that give me ammo to debate any rugby fan i meet. Cheers mate.

[@HYPER_295]

France destroyed wales by scoring more than wales

[@TheThunderwars]

That is also my analysis 🧐

[@reefrunnerart]

They won by scoring at all…

[@thijs4298]

France destroyed Wales by scoring? Although that might be a bit unfair to Wales

[@DavidMcGrath-d6c]

More teams need to consider this strategy

[@NotThatOneThisOne]

I thought France won because Wales scored less than them.

[@natpia1838]

Hey, I am a total beginner and never played rugby, but I enjoy watching it from time to time. And yet, I was able to understand all of what you were saying because the explanation were so clear and greatly illustrated! Thank you so much!

[@EllaCaspian]

“And it’s just kinda shit” is the rugby analysis I’m looking for in 2025! Thank you for also being the only English-speaking rugby expert who pronounces Dupont correctly

[@erwanmarie8756]

He even pronounced "Pays De Galles' correctly! ^^ 0:16

[@france4me117]

This is certainly thebest analysis of any Rugby ever ... Brilliant! Keep it up and Go France xoxoxo

[@jmzz77]

Love you guys. Always the best revue for ever and ever. You are juste the GOAD of sport journalism in the Rugby World.

[@haxingorPOL]

A welsh dude from tiktok about to run an Ultramarathon

[@danydvorsky]

That's the n.9

[@adl7904]

Fantastic analysis once again! Great work!

[@billymaguire3312]

Every six nations since the squidge rugby La Rochelle video I have not failed to bring up the Atonio/silverback stat. Thanks for the line squidge

[@Selim31]

Again, a masterful breaking down Squidge, with so much details unnoticed. I have to say, as a french fan I was quite impressed with the way that Wales didn't abdicate during the game and kept on trying despite the difficulty. They were unfortunately too predictable and they clearly lack a little bit of confidence but I found them admirable in their will to play (and indeed Jac Morgan is world class, hope to see him with the Lions). That red jersey made me shiver with fear back in the day and I hope that Welsh clubs and the federation will soon find the key to solve that mini crisis. Going to see a 6 nations Wales-France at the Millennium stadium is in my bucket list.

[@steph7793]

I attended the match and although I really enjoy watching rugby I admit not being a true expert, and your analysis gave me a lot of colour to what I have been seeing! Thank you!

[@brodericki4281]

13:35 As a die hard wallabies fan for 25 years this line triggered "Hello darkness my old friend" to start looping in my head 😢

[@Bingo-x4s]

Hit the notification harder the scoreboard operator had to work

[@hammyjammies]

Regarding the predictable attack and the players not selling, it probably didn't help that for a large chunk of the game they didn't have full time Fly Half in the game, Ben Thomas did put in a decent shift but he's a centre!

[@erq1971]

Always brilliant! Merci pour le video. Allez les bleus

[@lrh5206]

The Twickenham Stadium. In Allianz, West London.

[@markwillies7666]

I'm not English bUT calling it Allianz doesn't sit well

[@thomashughes7336]

Hard watch but mostly true I think. Their power was too much for us to handle. Morgan and Daf were absolutely brilliant. I just hope they stay injury free. We're fixable, we look fit enough and will work hard enough. I don't think any other team this tournament can offer what France put us through, so hopefully we'll finally get some wins.

[@halfaquarter2308]

Excellent break down of first French try, Squidge.

[@admjooge]

Thank you Squidge

[@J-wm4go]

Your output is usually great, but this video was truly excellent. Awesome analysis (watching ITV's coverage compared to this is like watching toddlers trying to describe nuclear fusion) and some genuinely funny jokes. Thank you!

[@AhJong0]

I did not think this would be able to get a video - but my doubt was misplaced. Exceptionally good job breaking down such a one sided contest. The 7/10 Wales versus 7/10 France is so bang on.

[@harryhewitt2794]

This is my second watch because the first time I immediately fell asleep (not related to the video just - life) it played through anyway and I magically woke up at the time I would have done had I stayed awake long enough to set an alarm. So I thought it deserved a second viewing. Thanks Squidge that was excellent.

[@crochetstephane7027]

Brilliant analysis. I remember a time, not so long ago, when Wales had game changers everywhere on the pitch. Tables turn that’s all

[@JonseyWales]

Brilliant analysis, it brings a whole new level of appreciation in watching the game.

[@fraserposford144]

That opening passage shows you the true value of kicking. So many armchair fans and old romanticists want to see teams running the ball from anywhere but if you can make 60m of territory with the boot and regain the ball, you probably should. There are certainly times to play through the phases but an excellent kicking game can really elevate a team to elite status.

[@zatodespentes]

You are absolutly right and i remember a time no so far, in the 2010 ' France lost so many games in many tournaments because their kicking game was low compared to the other top 5 world nations.

[@marco-dn7kd]

Dupont, Ntamack and Ramos know how to kick and kick long.

[@thestovington8609]

Ive never actually seen one of your videos but heard about you. That was SO good!

[@NoelJGriffin]

The only bright spark for Welsh rugby this last weekend was Gwalia Lightning beating Edinburgh in the Celtic Challenge.

[@charlottescott7150]

Thank you as ever Robbie and Will. Great analysis

[@lmwak1005]

Ramos casually playing GAA with that toe tap

[@Molkky42]

Thanks for your excellent analysis!! Good job!

[@wayno5655]

Brutally honest dissection Squidge - especially Wales not fighting to run lines and play off the man who is attacking with ball in hand - once analysed by you it really brings into sharp focus the almost apathetic Welsh attack strategy.

[@siix477]

Great analysis. I think the Welsh pattern can work, but France first up was always gonna be a massive headwind. Trouble is, Italy surely now know exactly what's coming.

[@ashleyturner7986]

One of the best Squidge Vids yet

[@RFK_1925]

As an irishman, its honesty sad to see how far wales have fallen

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Excellent breakdown as ever mate 👏🏼

[@florent6382]

Always brilliant. Love from France :D

[@henryburton6529]

The Antoine DuPont of scrum halves - that’s how

[@azurman3]

Dupont*

[@Pabloso213]

Yes he’s great but forward pass 3rd try completely missed 😂

[@closelaugh185]

@@azurman3 Dupenis*

[@henryburton6529]

@ Thanks. I'll revise the spelling in the future.

[@jean-louisbeaufils5699]

Thank you for another superb analysis.

[@MrNico8889]

Great video for the start. I enjoyed to see some details that I've missed live. Considering that I would say that welsh defense was quite Ok, because french attacks were completely untraditionnal 😮! Scrum was ok two. It was a very balanced scrum battle. Maybe you could have talk a little bit more about that, because it's almost a surprise. Welsh attacks, as you underline, were so predictable, and repetetives. Like waves on a rock. For me THE weak area of the match for the team. Can't wait to see the Irl vs Eng video 🤩🤩. Long live to yoyr channel 🙏👍

[@AuxaneST]

Patrick Arlettaz looks like an intense lad... Always so expressive and usually looking tense or pissed off.

[@emyrh9140]

Clicked on this faster then France scored a try against Wales

[@KingToeSniffer]

WRU and Gatland are truly inspirations to millions. Teaching us all that you can be utterly incompetent at your job and still earn massive paydays.

[@superrrnova1986]

You must not have heard of the public sector

[@Pabloso213]

Gatland incompetent? Ok sure who would you have to replace him then? I’m all ears…

[@gregorygout]

I don't know if he lost it or not, but Wales had some amazing years with him, so maybe he is due a bit of respect for that at least. I am a French fan but I remember than back in 2019 he was meant to take over the French team as a coach (as we were crap), and that it did not happen because the clubs refused to allow a foreigner to coach the national team...Not sure sacking him is the solution here...at least not until after the tournament...maybe give the guy a chance...

[@KingToeSniffer]

​@@Pabloso213 Tobey Booth, Pat Lam, Steve Tandy, Franco Smith, Michael Cheika, Jaime Joseph. Different levels of availability but the WRU could realistically pursue all of them. Whether they get them or not is a different story. And Gatland's incompetence has been on full display both in terms of squad selection and tactics Tactics: Outdated and not suited to the current crop of Welsh Players Squad Selection: Inconsistent and nonsensical. Chops and changes so much that players can't develop chemistry with each other. Refuses to pick in form players such as Max Llewellyn and Gareth Ansecomb. And when he does pick in form players like Ben Thomas, he plays them out of position. Ben Thomas doesn't play any of his club rugby at 10, he plays at 12. He also basically refuses to take any real responsibility for his own failings, always blaming something else instead of admitting his own faults. And the most clear thing is that we are on a 13 game losing streak, 1 place away from our lowest ranking in history, and we have made zero progress towards getting better as a team in 2 years. Essay done.

[@entmeister-general415]

Dan Biggar on ITV saying Allianz stadium every third sentence amused me on the weekend they've clearly had it drilled into them

[@yyddddllllyy5870]

I don't think there's enough oxygen on the planet that allows us to actuarately praise Jac Morgan as much as he deserves. If he's not on the Lions tour, Andy Farrell doesn't know rugby.

[@kristofermccormack6]

Now I know why you chose this game to look at first. Its good to have Dupont back in the 6N.

[@adam6869]

I'm still not ready for this

[@darnellengelbrecht4400]

We all go through this. The Springboks getting hammered 57-0 by the All Blacks was brutal and sparked a lot of soul searching for an entire country, but we came back eventually. Hang in there, Wales are too good to stay down

[@bradadriaanse]

"Looking like he's not interested in playing international rugby" Ded 😂

[@drowzyus360]

France destroyed Wales by investing in their youth and home league teams. The last couple of years for france are a generation of young players finally reaching their potential.

[@Ortisse]

The "JIFF" law was probably the best creation made by the french rugby board.

[@autochthonic9912]

Hugely missed opportunity! I was ready for your sentence ".. some Rugby was played and Ntamack did this..."

[@DarceG-jh1ik]

You articulate why I love watching France

[@huyxiun2085]

FR here. I only watched the first part of the game, being exhausted that evening. After the second try, I went to bed. But I must say I would have passed out way sooner hadn't it been such a great first part of a match. I really enjoyed every second, despite my body shouting me to rest. Wales played really well. I hope they'll get big results later on because they deserve some.

[@DrRemuss]

08:44 that may be why French players jokingly call Thomas Ramos "Sergio" in reference of the great football player Sergio Ramos !! haha

[@BenWilsonuk1]

Amazing analysis.... So much better than the TV and their dull clichés

[@richie_williams]

Hello Mr Squidge. Please can you go and work for the WRU and be our attack coach. Or our anything coach? Gatland is being asked to make a mahogany piano out of ply wood shavings. It’s not the players’ fault, it’s the WRU. Please go and sort it all out. Thank you Mr Squidge Sir.

[@timmurphy4844]

If wales play like they played against France with England I think the English line speed might have them going all the way back to the there own try line

[@thewelshdm]

I love hearing Squidge be as exasperated with Tompkins as I am

[@theophilelaurent5033]

8:47 WTF ? I missed that

[@sekoundiaye3239]

To be fair, I missed that too... What a player!

[@drewmagnus3564]

“And it’s just kind of shit…”. That’s the kind of tactical analysis I come here for!

[@pauljohnson1551]

Good analysis

[@shinywarm6906]

The Welsh failure to run off-the-ball attacking lines is something that was supposed to get sorted by Pivac. It never was. Gatland isnt going to do it either, is he?

[@GRB-tj6uj]

Teams like Uruguay, Japan and Portugal have proven that you can trouble teams with more physicality and raw talent by being smart and innovative. Wales on the other hand are uninspired and predictable. The issues at the WRU and Welsh rugby in general are not an excuse to send those boys on to the field with an outdated, by the most numbers game plan. They need some fresh ideas and perspective

[@zisssssou]

Ok, you've win that "Reffell banter" raffle

[@WasLilChrisnowbigish]

Rugby is dead in Wales and WRU killed it.

[@robmcfeely]

"The Twickenham stadium in Alliance, West London". Classic.

[@jfb1030]

Great video as always. One thing I don't get is the obsession with size for 'go forward'. For one thing, it's surely more a question of dynamic power than size. How come Jac Morgan has the best carry stats despite not being the biggest? That's also why Joe Roberts is so good, or even more so Taulupe Faletau. It's not even just about size and speed, but also things like acceleration and balance and determination and being switched on and able to make small physical adjustments. And taking the ball at speed, which is a perennial issue for Wales. Another thing is that teams are organised and work hard to give the carrier a bit of an edge, they don't just send people up one against one or one against two as Wales often seem to.

[@denisdatin3757]

Merci l'ami pour ton analyse très pertinente. Allez les Bleus !

[@johnnymulholland6973]

last time I was this early Wales were good

[@Decoffeee-ky4ch]

I would compare the wales/ France game to a dragons match, but at least the dragons score when they get battered

[@julienbugli]

8:45 Thomas Ramos getting sicker and sicker by the match

[@lirmeaney6255]

In summary , rugby was indeed played by some people, except wales lol

[@darnellengelbrecht4400]

In the words of Brian Clough, “We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass.”

[@chespocket1756]

Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 played an excellent game. They just not in the same league as France 🇫🇷. It’s that simple.

[@kjlovescoffee]

"likely wooden spoon decider next weekend" - oof!

[@OvaleDeLaManche]

Watch all the six nations teams use that 9 to ten in the scrum tactic next week

[@okobongdinko]

As a french fan i must say france did not play as well as they could of but i think its mostly cause of saving players for the england game. But, and a large but, Ntamack is a vindictive imbecile for what he did. I have never heard my father cuss out one of his own players so much.

[@lout9231]

I forget which minute or half it was but one of the very few times Wales were even remotely close to the french try line and Williams took it in in what sort of looked like what was a crash bang.. I've never seen a team with every player off the ball categorically look like they wanted absolutely nothing to do with the ball. Awfuk

[@Gdog5610]

Did the Welsh fella on tik tok run the 45 miles or has he just realized that this is not Wales last defeat

[@parsmad]

14:22 Scotland vs France?

[@glaivedacier]

Yiu're the best, man.

[@Richard-c6u1i]

France are in a different stratosphere to Wales, Wales actually played well for them and lost without scoring a point, BUT not that it would have made a jot of difference, BUT France scored a blatant forward pass (3.meters) try and a blatant Knock on try in the 2nd half.. why were they awarded?? The ref (not that he needed to be) was terribly biased to an already massively dominant side. When you are at the bottom as Wales are you often get kicked in the gonads too.

[@338-p5e]

Analyze French flair is impossible.....

[@lafamillecarrington]

I've seen so many great half-backs try those kicks into the corner - and fail. Apparently it isn't that easy!

[@Gdog5610]

Jak Morgan as lions captain, Adam's makes the panel. No one else, can't see dorris as captain for lions, I'm irish before anyone starts going mental

[@CianMcCabe98]

Just want to say I love the simple change of having “Men’s Six Nations” in the title, keeps up the inclusion that Squidge has always refused to budge on, well done!

[@grommeuleur1648]

And everyone is tired of wokism.. The women's tournament comming later... Dis you steak about men is This one ?

[@superrrnova1986]

Women play rugby?

[@thierrybo6304]

​@@superrrnova1986women play?

[@dewjphillips5563]

We could have a good international back line with the lads not in camp; with Jarrod Evans 10 (ineligible-Quins), Joe Hawkins 12 (ineligible-Exeter), Max Llewelyn 13 (not picked), Feyi Waboso 11 (slipped thru to England, he speaks welsh ffs), LRZ 14 (NFL), and Cam Winnett 15 (not picked). Maybe I’m in dreamland but what could have been!! Granted we need a strong pack in front of these boys but they’d do well I’m sure

[@ryanmurphy2610]

I think Howley has some attacking plays up his sleeve, no point giving Italy any insights in an inevitable loss to France.

[@joebloggs1356]

France D was looked like Ireland 2-3 years ago. D can win games as long as your line out and kicking game is functional

[@gwyndafwheeler9665]

In essence, Wales' defence was pretty good and their attack was sadder than the fact the GAP in Bridgend closed 3 years ago

[@samlewis7339]

Should be titled "So how did Dupont destroy Wales?"

[@ozolli]

Let Dupont play in the Welsh team and he will loose.

[@c0222]

Can someone explain the difference between Aldritt blocking the Wales player at 7:11 and an obstruction penalty? Something similar happened in the Italy Scotland game last year I think where Dempsey ran the pitch but it was chaulked off for something like what Aldritt is doing.

[@chrisnewbury849]

Aldritt was already there. He doesn;t have to move out of the way, Now if he had moved to block a tackle, like in american football, that would be obstruction. The way to sort it is that you either go through aldritt to make the tackle or you go around him……

[@c0222]

@@chrisnewbury849 what if you're running a support line and you intentionally stop in the way of the defensive line drift as I think Ollie Lawrence did in last year's Calcutta Cup first try?

[@chrisnewbury849]

If you’re running a support line and stay on that line then unlikely it’s going to be obstruction. If you change direction and the officials deem that it was intentionally to block a tackle you’re probably going to be pinged A lot of it, like many things in rugby, is due to interpretation by the ref. But generally, if you change your line of running or position to block a tackle it’s obstruction If you run in a straight line and time it well enough that you get in a defenders way, you may be ok as there is no obligation on you to change where you are going

[@roryoneill9444]

Roll on the 8th of March.... the Grand Slam decider.

[@the5th2000]

It was pretty gruesome. A scoreline like that in the Six Nations is not good for anyone. I hope Wales get sorted soon.

[@Justinian-IV]

They turned up.