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Antoine Dupont on the charge for France. Manuel Blondeau/INPHO

France thrash Wales 43-0 in Six Nations opener

Les Bleus ran out 43-0 winners.

France 43 

Wales 0

WINGERS LOUIS BIELLE-BIARREY and Theo Attissogbe both scored twice as Six Nations favourites France started the tournament with a comfortable home win over Wales this evening.

Bielle-Biarrey and Attissogbe made their contributions in a 22-minute first-half spell, putting down a statement for France’s title hopes before the hosts finished the game down a man following a late Romain Ntamack red card making him a doubt for next Saturday’s trip to England.

The defeat marked a record-extending 13th straight Test loss for Wales and a first failure to score a single point in a game since 2007, increasing pressure on coach Warren Gatland before heading to perennial underachievers Italy next weekend.

Les Bleus coach Fabien Galthie named Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou on the bench for their first Test since they were investigated over rape claims last year before they were dismissed.

When Jegou and Auradou’s names were read out pre-match in-front of 77,000 fans they were welcomed with cheers by the vocal crowd. But they were met by boos and whistles when they came off the bench.

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont skippered the hosts after missing last season’s Six Nations to focus on playing seven-a-side rugby at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Gatland, in his 150th game in charge of Wales, recalled experienced full-back Liam Williams and winger Josh Adams as the New Zealander looked to claim a first international win since October 2023.

The buzzing pre-match atmosphere stepped up a gear with the anthems and an acapella version of La Marseillaise with the home support in an expectant mood for the fixture and the Championship as a whole.

Les Bleus underlined their favourites tags for not just the game but the tournament, crossing the Wales line after after just four minutes but Dupont was held up and the visitors cleared their lines.

Wales won a free-kick at the first scrum of the game on 10 minutes, allowing them to venture into France’s territory, highlighting an early possible impact by former prop Adam Jones in his role as a consultant at the set-piece.

Dupont the provider

Wales’ ascendancy was short-lived before Dupont provided his 35th try assist in 56 Tests setting up Attissogbe in the corner with a delicate cross kick.

Full-back Thomas Ramos converted to leapfrog Christophe Lamaison as France’s second highest scorer.

By the half-hour mark Les Bleus had doubled their lead as Ramos set up Bielle-Biarrey for his 17th try in as many games for club and country this season.

Wales’ hopes for an unlikely first win against France since 2019 were hindered as hooker Evan Lloyd, on his first international start, was shown a sin-binned for a high tackle on Bielle-Biarrey.

Dupont provided two further masterful assists before the interval to set-up Attissogbe again and Bielle-Biarrey for their doubles as France led 28-0 at the break, with France in total control.

It was Wales’ heaviest deficit at the 40-minute mark since trailing 29-0 to the same opponents in 1998, a game which ended 51-0.

The hosts returned from half-time lethargic, seeming to be happy with their advantage.

It played into Wales’ hands as they made good gains into France’s 22m after an Adams break down the left wing but a knock-on from lock Dafydd Jenkins gave the home side the chance to clear.

With half an hour to play and the result beyond doubt Dupont was replaced by Nolann Le Garrec in six changes made at once by Galthie.

Replacements Julien Marchand and centre Emilien Gailleton both crossed for tries before Ntamack’s error with 11 minutes to go.

In his first Test appearance since August 2023, Ntamack was shown a yellow upgraded to red for a high hit on opposition No 10 Ben Thomas.

With two minutes to play France No 8 and man-of-the-match Gregory Alldritt rubbed salt into Wales’ wounds by crossing from short range in a clinical display from Les Bleus.

– © AFP 2025

Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

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    Mute Beatrice O'Connell
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 11:39 AM

    Goodbye Phantom, you were good back in the day when you actually played exciting independent music. Now you’re as bland as every other commercial music station. What a pity.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:14 PM

    Phantom failed because it’s too mainstream? How does that make any sense?

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    Mute Scarr
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:39 PM

    Go home Beatrice, you’re drunk. :)

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    Mute Eliot Rosewater
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:46 PM

    She has a point. If you want to listen to mainstream radio, there are plenty of options, and they would be done far better than Phantom. Phantom is supposed to cover a niche music interest. Were it to actually address this area, it *might* stand a better chance of success.

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    Mute GATHERINGYOURMONEY14
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:48 PM

    Alternative music???
    I’m afraid Bilderberger Dennis (O’Brien), Commuinicorp’s
    (and Today FM’s)
    (and Newstalk’s)
    (and IRadio’s)
    (And Spin Radio’s)
    (and 98 FM’s)
    (And the Indo’s)
    (And the Herlad’s)
    owner and Seanie Fitz’s BFF
    has other plans for what he wants you to listen too.

    A few good Pirate’s would sort that out though.
    Wouldn’t it Dennisconi??
    Any crack in Harto’s these days Dennis?

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 3:11 PM

    You can hardly call Phantom mainstream. It already is niche. If it were to become even more niche it would have failed sooner.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:13 PM

    Phantom is in decline not because it doesn’t play enough independent music. It’s in decline because Garth Brooks can sell out 5 nights in Croke Park. Look at the current charts and they’ll also show you why Phantom failed. To say Phantom failed because it’s too mainstream makes no sense. If it went even more left field it would have failed even quicker.
    RIP Phantom – the only station that played decent music.

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    Mute Mad Dog Digital
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:37 PM

    Well said, couldn’t agree more.

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    Mute Elbbit
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:46 PM

    Great comment.
    Great station and a real shame its going to change. Discovered some real good irish bands throigh them. No real station to liaten to now, may turn to nova a bit more often but the rest are not for me.

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    Mute Eliot Rosewater
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:49 PM

    This was always the case. An alternative/indie music station (run well and understanding what makes a niche music station work) was never going to challenge mainstream music fans’ tastes. I would guess that Phantom’s target was 5% of listener figures in the Dublin area. By being simply another Nova, it was never going to succeed. It may also have failed had it tried sticking to its original remit, but I have a feeling we will never know for sure.

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    Mute Sam Rhodes
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 9:12 PM

    It didn’t help that the breakfast slot which probably accounts for a large share of listenership has been pure muck for the last year or more.

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    Mute Richie C
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 11:50 AM

    It’s a shame because it was a great station and there is some real talent there. Richie and Richie in particular deserve to go on and do better things.

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    Mute Sam Rhodes
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 9:09 PM

    Putting Richie and Richie in the breakfast slot would probably halt the station’s decline instantly.

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    Mute Neal •IntoYourHead
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    Feb 25th 2014, 1:08 PM

    They can’t have been all that great if they can’t even make enough money to keep a staff employed.

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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:00 PM

    I have to say I’m gutted to see phantom struggle and eventually fail. It was the only credible music station left. The fact Nova is doing so well is beyond me, all they play is the same power rock crap that appeals to those on nostalgia trips, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, boston etc… Played day in and day out!
    Maybe if Ireland hadn’t suffered the mass emigration it has in recent years I reckon a large proportion of Phantoms target listeners are sadly living/working abroad.

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    Mute Sandra Murphy
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:13 PM

    You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.

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    Mute verbal kint
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:25 PM

    He’s right with regards to the drivel played on nova. Terrible presenters too who don’t know their arse from their elbow when it comes to music.

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    Mute Sandra Murphy
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:31 PM

    JNLR figures tell quite a different story, as does the fact that Phantom can’t find a solid footing while Nova is a younger station and very much established.

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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 5:28 PM

    You clearly don’t know how to contribute to an ” opinion” based comment thread.

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    Mute Sandra Murphy
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 6:50 PM

    When you say Nova plays only the old tunes, you’re wrong. There are various programmes on the station airing new music from all around the country. The presenters are solid, fun and know their business. Opining in such a way as to suggest another station with the same aim – to offer an alternative to mainstream – survives on the nostalgic preferences harbourbered by listeners is deeply incorrect. Finally, maybe it’s unusual but gathering information before forming an opinion is kinda interesting, you should try it.

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    Mute James Kiernan
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    Feb 24th 2014, 12:38 AM

    I woke up yesterday and as usual turned on nova and the first three songs were aerosmith tom petty and oasis. The newest was 18 yrs old. I like nova but not all day….they play grandad rock….i wished they played dad rock it wud be a vast improvement!

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    Mute Eliot Rosewater
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:15 PM

    Didn’t they fire loads of staff relatively recently? They seem to be chronically badly mismanaged, and there are some terrible shows with some presenters showing little or no chemistry with each other. The two Richies are great though, and that Friday night show is something I will always try to listen to. I still miss Pearl on Sunday mornings.

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    Mute Sam Rhodes
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 9:15 PM

    They seem determined to hang on to some lousy presenters while happy to lose other vastly more talented ones. Pearl was great. I loved Cinerama. I still mourn Sinister Pete. The Richies are fantastic and I hope they survive the shake up.

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    Mute everlast mccarthy
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 5:13 PM

    Xfm tried for the license years ago and lost out to Phantom.

    They should sell the licence to Xfm and let them try make a success out of being an alternative radio station.

    I have listened to Phantom since it’s pirate days, and whilst it may not be as good as it once was, it’s a damn sight better than the others.

    They have put me on to a load of new music throughout the years. No chance of hearing The Wild Beasts, Eels, Vaccines, Bombay Bicycle Club etc travelling to and from work on FM104 etc.

    RIP Phantom, I wish all the staff in there the very best.

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    Mute Dermot Quinn
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:25 PM

    Phantom has been a disaster for a few years now. They basically decided to turn it in Rock 104fm (showing my age). It was a cynical ploy to overly commercialise the station. I stopped listening a while back when I realised I hadn’t discovered any new bands in ages. Saying it’s down to the Garth Brookes squad is deluded, there is enough non mainstream stuff to support a station like phantom but Denis O’Brien decided against it.

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    Mute Sam Rhodes
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 9:18 PM

    There’s plenty of quality stuff on Phantom but it tends to get pushed to the outer regions of the schedule while the more bland stuff clogs up the daytime. Late night Phantom can still be great.

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    Mute Mad Dog Digital
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:36 PM

    Problem is that the playlist they use is too short, it wouldn’t be uncommon to hear the same tracks 3 or 4 times in the same afternoon. It’s still the best station in Dublin for music, John Caddell is a pleasure to listen to. My fear is that the people of Dublin’s musical tastes are probably too mainstream. Garth Brookes sold out 5 nights in Croke Park, so there is a possibility the station may need to go closer to Radio Nova to get the audience, sad but might be true.

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    Mute damian
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:53 PM

    As soon as communicorp took over it nose dived. They tried to change it… Such a good station. So sad that it’s ending.

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    Mute Simon Eales
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:21 PM

    TuneIn. Whole world of music out there.

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    Mute big shmoke
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 12:26 PM

    Metal notes

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    Mute Peter Rice
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 2:18 PM

    I’m gonna miss Phantom.It’s radio so you’re at mercy of someone else’s tastes but i’ve discovered a lot of great contemporary music through Phantom,stuff that i would certainly have missed out on.

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    Mute Paul Simmons
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 1:16 PM

    Preferred The Pirate Xfm now XfmDublin.com in its hey day. The 90s pirates were great. Xfm, Jazz Radio, Sunshine and Phantom.

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    Mute hovismcnulty
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    Feb 24th 2014, 12:06 PM

    What’s the bets Joe Donnelly will keep his job after the re-brand though?
    Typical Jobs for the boys stuff that he is not one of the 20 DJs to go despite the fact that very few people rate him as a DJ on that station.
    A poor fit for Phantom from day one of his appointment
    How he is still kept on there while others who have been there far longer and are much better at what they do are given the bullet is a joke.
    I perceive this to be typical cronyism & would be nice to get some clairifiaction as to why he was spared whilst the likes of the two Richies & Derek Byrne, Wil St Ledger etc get the boot
    Him & Keith Walsh were appalling breakfast show DJs for a station like Phantom. A real low ebb for the place when they returned (I recall them not being much better back in the pirate days too)
    Reading out crappy text messages from half wits and get into silly Facebook and Twitter spats with anyone who dared criticism them was truly painful stuff to contend with in the mornings. Sub Hector/ FM104 style ‘Bants’
    Maybe this sort of stuff worked on Spin or iBallygobackwards radio in Athlone or wherever but it certainly didn’t on a niche alt music station like Phantom as the JNLR ratings would testify.
    RIP Phantom & the very best of luck to all the other staff who will sadly lose their jobs come March.

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    Mute Paul Gallagher
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 7:31 PM

    Sadly Phantom has been creaking for a while, I think when they were based upstairs in Whelans it somehow came through in the music. As for a new name, before Phantom there was Spectrum…if only we could get back to that

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    Mute Edmund Dantes
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    Feb 23rd 2014, 3:25 PM

    continuing “to deliver an alternative music service for young Dubliners”.

    if you live in dublin do you become a dubliner?? yikes

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    Mute Riocard Ó Tiarnaigh
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    Feb 24th 2014, 12:13 AM

    I used to listen to Phantom when it was pirate and after that when they got the licence. In recent years I stopped, as all they seemed to play anymore were the Foo Fighters (who I can’t stand) and the likes of. Now I listen online to Raidio na Life, the Irish language station for Dublin at 106.4. Their music programmes e.g. Neuromancer are eclectic and first-rate. Katie Kim – from Waterford? I heard her there first.

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    Mute hovismcnulty
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    Feb 26th 2014, 10:45 AM

    Spot on Ricoard- Radio na Life is great and has been since its inception over 20 years ago.

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    Mute Zozzy Zozimus
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    Feb 24th 2014, 1:05 AM

    Time for Phantom to go back to piracy!

    …and potentially to relevance?

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