Heart-thumping rugby, late drama and one Championship title still hanging in the balance – Super Saturday summed up just why we love the Guinness Six Nations.
It was thrilling from start to finish. France broke Welsh hearts by snatching the Grand Slam from Wayne Pivac’s side at the eleventh hour and, ahead of their clash with Scotland next weekend, have a golden opportunity to claim a first Championship title since 2010.
Les Bleus need to notch a bonus-point triumph and beat Gregor Townsend’s side by at least 21 points at the Stade de France on Friday – and rugby fans far and wide will be holding their breath as one of the most exciting Championships in recent history reaches a climax.
Elsewhere on Super Saturday, Ireland beat England 32-18 and Scotland toppled Italy 52-10 but it was that game in Paris that sent social media singing.
Wow.
Pivac’s Wales have sparkled throughout this Guinness Six Nations and had played themselves to the brink of Grand Slam glory – before having it all ruthlessly ripped away with the clock in the red.
Charles Ollivon crossed after 76 minutes to narrow Wales’ lead to just five points, with a rock-solid conversion from Romain Ntamack teeing up a grandstand finale.
And it was Brice Dulin who stabbed the late, late dagger into Welsh hearts in the French capital, scoring in the corner after a period of pressure to keep Les Blues’ title hopes alive.
The Stade de France remained filled with the sound of silence – but sit back, relax and enjoy the rugby community, and beyond, revelling in an all-time Championship classic.
It wasn’t just former players who were gripped by the action in Paris – with the thrills and spills even attracting a right royal pair of eyeballs back in England.
And rugby fan David Hasselhoff even swapped showbiz for the Stade de France, enjoying the Saturday drama from his plush-looking American pad.
Former Scotland skipper John Barclay also loved Super Saturday – and wasted no time dishing the banter to former Wales star Andy Powell!
Wales left to rue last-gasp heartbreak – but acknowledge Championship classic Make no bones about it – Wales was a nation crestfallen on Saturday evening. But some of the country’s leading rugby lights remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging France’s resilience and a Championship clash for the ages.
And Wales fanatic Carol Vorderman also weighed in on the action, swapping Countdown for compassion as she sympathised with her heroes.
Agony for Wales, ecstasy for France.
Pivac’s side were unable to leave Paris with a memorable Grand Slam title as Dulin’s late try triggered jubilant scenes in the French camp.
And the talismanic Antoine Dupont, as well as former France star Yannick Nyanga, were among those who toasted a Super Saturday to savour.
