CARDIFF, 8 March 2004 — Jean-Baptise Elissalde inspired France to a 29-22 win against Wales at the Millennium Stadium here yesterday which kept alive his side’s bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam. The Toulouse scrum-half scored 24 of his side’s points, his tally made up of a try, two conversions and five penalties but had to limp off seven minutes from time having seen flanker Imanol Harinordoquy also score a try.
In Elissalde’s absence Wales scored a try with two minutes remaining through replacement flanker Martyn Williams to set up a grandstand finish after Stephen Jones converted. But they could not manage another score to add to the five penalties fly-half Jones had already converted.
In the fourth minute France almost had a try when, after sustained forward pressure, the ball was moved left with Yannick Jauzion bursting through before Wales right wing Rhys Williams intercepted the center’s pass intended for full-back Nicolas Brusque.
But France’s early dominance was rewarded in the fifth minute when Elissalde landed a penalty from in front of the posts.
However, three minutes later, center Damien Traille pulled an ambitious penalty effort from five meters inside his own half well wide.
Thomas Lievremont, promoted to the back-row in place of dropped flanker Olivier Magne, looked to have set up a try when he intercepted in the 11th minute but Australian referee Stuart Dickinson penalized the No.8 for offside.
Moments later Jones landed the first of four first-half penalties before Elissalde responded to make it 6-3 to France.
