Thomas crosses for his try.

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

France overcame a hesitant opening 20 minutes to condemn Wales to the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon in Paris.

Wales looked on course to maintain their unbeaten record at the Stade de France when they crossed through winger Gareth Thomas in the third minute but once the home side had settled it was all one-way traffic.

The centre pairing of Damien Traille and Thomas Castaignede allowed France to wrestle the initiative away from the visitors as they launched a series of raids which ensured their side remained on the front foot.

Castaignede's slippery running was a neat foil for Trailles' blockbusting surges from the midfield and the Saracens back touched down for France's first try.

Substitute Vincent Clerc and fly-half Frederic Michalak also crossed for Les Bleus, who were booed from the pitch by the home fans after a sub-standard first half display, while Dimitri Yachvili slotted 18 points.

Castaignede's try effectively marked the end of Welsh resistance as they appeared increasingly pedestrian in attack, failing to find the gaps which had opened up for them in the early exchanges.

The burden was on Iestyn Harris to ignite Wales as an attacking force but after some promising touches in the first quarter he could make little impact, although this was more down to France's growing control than his own deficiencies.

Harris was involved as Wales made a dream start, with former the Great Britain rugby league star making the initial break down the left before he was hauled down by a scrambling French defence.

But the ball was quickly recycled to the right flank where France were over-stretched, allowing Thomas to take the final pass before sprinting in at the corner.

Stephen Jones missed the conversion but he almost set-up the next try just two minutes later when his punt downfield bounced over the line with the onrushing Craig Morgan on hand to touch down.

However, referee New Zealand Paddy O'Brien requested the assistance of the television match official who ruled no try.

France then launched an attack of their own with Castaignede prominent but the ball was spilt over the line just as the Welsh rearguard was about to crack.

Dimitri Yachvili was given a penalty opportunity which he pushed wide but Wales were still on top, sweeping deep into their opponents' half with some powerful running.

The pressure told in the 19th minute when France strayed offside after a robust forward drive only for Jones to miss the ensuing penalty from the 10-metre line.

Michalak's neat chip carved Wales open in the 22nd minute and Castaignede was on hand to gather up and charge forward until he was halted on the 22.

Another perfectly-weighted kick followed and Wales skipper Martyn Williams, with Aurelien Rougerie bearing down on him, was forced to the palm the ball into touch from within his own in-goal area.

France had wrestled the initiative from Welsh hands and they could not be denied in the 27th minute when Traille fed the omnipresent Castaignede who crossed under the posts, with Yachvili adding an easy conversion.

The Biarritz scrum-half then slotted the first penalty of the afternoon to reward the home side's continued dominance, and Jones compounded his side's misery by missing a very kickable three points shortly after.

France should have gone further ahead in the dying moments of the half but they were guilty of over-elaboration with Michalak spurning an overlap on his left.

The second half began as the first had finished with France surging forward, creating a clear chance for Raphael Ibanez but the burley hooker spilt the ball forward right under the posts.

Wales had infringed however and Yachvili made no mistake with the penalty, placing his kick neatly between the uprights.

France's lead was extended in the 51st minute when a dashing break from full-back Clement Poitrenaud was completed with a perfectly-timed pass to Clerc who dived over.

The near-touchline conversion was booted by Yachvili to effectively put the game out of Wales' reach, with the visitors looking increasingly ragged in the face of French attacking ambition.

Yachvili kicked his third penalty before Michalak crossed in the 66th minute, the France number 10 accepting Olivier Magne's pass before skipping through the Welsh defence.

Les Bleus continued to search for another try but could not break through for a fourth time, although they had already done more than enough to end Wales' proud record at the Stade de France.

Teams:

France: Poitrenaud, Rougerie, Castaignede, Traille, Garbajosa, Michalak, Yachvili, Crenca, Ibanez, Marconnet, Pelous, Brouzet, Betsen, Magne, Harinordoqui.

Replacements: Clerc for Rougerie (20), Elissalde for Michalak (76), Merceron for Yachvili (76), Rue for Ibanez (76), Tabacco for Brouzet (60), Auradou for Harinordoqui (60).

Not Used: Milloud.

Tries: Castaignede, Clerc, Michalak.

Cons: Yachvili 3.

Pens: Yachvili 4.

Wales: R. Williams, G. Thomas, Taylor, Harris, C. Morgan, S. Jones, Peel, I. Thomas, M. Davies, Jenkins, Sidoli, Llewellyn, Charvis, D. Jones, M. Williams.

Replacements: Shanklin for Harris (75), G. Cooper for Peel (53), Madden for Jenkins (55), S. Williams for Llewellyn (75), G. Thomas for D. Jones (80).

Not Used: Watkins, G. Williams.

Tries: G. Thomas

Sin Bin: Charvis (66).

Att: 72,500 Ref: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand).