Defending champions France proved too powerful en route to a comfortable 28-7 victory over Wales in Montauban to keep their Grand Slam ambitions on track.
Rachel Taylor's side travelled to Stade Sapiac in a confident mood, topping the points table after wins against England and Scotland but a dominant France side ensured Wales' own Grand Slam hopes were left shattered after conceding four tries.
Wales rallied in the dying stages to be awarded a penalty try but by then the visitors were already well beaten on a heavy pitch.
France dominated possession and territory and showed power, pace and a killer touch when to converting pressure into points which left Wales chasing shadows at times in defence.
Hooker Gaelle Mignot got the home side off to the perfect start when she rumbled over in the early stages to set the tone for France. Mignot led from the front throughout and the French skipper was the heartbeat of a powerful pack.
The back row of Coumba Tombe Diallo, Laëtitia Grand and Safi N'Diaye proved a constant threat with a constant stream of ball on the front foot while winger Julie Billes used her speed to race over for two tries in the corner.
Despite full back Jessy Tremouliere extending Les Bleus advantage with a penalty, Wales were still in the game at halftime and were only 11-0 down although flanker Sioned Harries was in the sin bin.
Wales were in further hot water soon after the break when prop Caryl Thomas got a yellow card for hands in the ruck. After a concerted period of pressure near their own line, the Wales scrum creaked and groaned and conceded a penalty try, which Tremouliere converted.
With Billes finishing with clinical precision, Wales faced an avalanche of points but to their credit they rallied to force a penalty try in the dying seconds when a French scrum was mangled near its own line.
Full back Dyddgu Hywel was the pick of the Welsh players with replacements Kerin Lake and Amy Lawrence also showing up well when given their chance.
While Wales' hopes of a Grand Slam may have ended, they still have a Triple Crown to fight for when they face Ireland in their next game at Swansea.
France: Tries - J Billes (2), G Mignot, pen try; con - J Tremouliere; pens - Tremouliere (2)
Wales: try - pen try; con - L Harries
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