Martyn Williams scored two tries inside five minutes of the second-half to turn the game on its head after Wales had looked dead and buried in the face of a rampant French side which suddenly rediscovered its flair.

But Wales onslaught immediately after half-time left France rattled and from trailing 15-6 at the interval, Williams two tries saw Wales suddenly charge into an 18-15 lead.

A drop goal from Frederic Michalak hauled France level but Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, who finished with 14 points, edged them ahead again with a penalty.

Jones then widened the gap to six points with a drop-goal eight minutes from time before Wales produced the most courageous defensive display to hold out for a famous victory - their third in four visits to Paris.

It was an astonishing performance from Wales, who now top the Six Nations table and are in prime position to seal a first Grand Slam in 27 long years.

The encounter was to be the crucial test of their championship credentials. And Mike Ruddocks men passed with flying colours.

It seemed for 40 minutes as if they would come up short as France buried their recent disappointments with a rampant first-half display to move 15-6 ahead with tries from Aurelien Rougerie and Dimitri Yachvili.

But Wales responded magnificently in the second half and fully deserved to win one of the most dramatic wins in the long history of the Six Nations tournament.

France:

Tries: Yachvili, Rougerie. Cons: Yachvili.
Pens: Yachvili.
Drop Goals: Michalak.

Team: Laharrague, Rougerie, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Delaigue, Yachvili, Marconnet, Bruno, Mas, Pelous, Thion, Betsen, Nyanga, Bonnaire.

Replacements: Grandclaude for Traille (46), Michalak for Delaigue (49), Servat for Bruno (41), Milloud for Mas (49), Lamboley for Thion (74), Harinordoquy for Bonnaire (59).
Not Used: Mignoni.

Wales:

Tries: M. Williams 2.
Cons: S. Jones.
Pens: S. Jones 3.
Drop Goals: S. Jones.

Team: G. Thomas, Morgan, Shanklin, Henson, S. Williams, S. Jones, Peel, Jenkins, Davies, A. Jones, Cockbain, Sidoli, R. Jones, M. Williams, Owen.

Replacements: R. Williams for G. Thomas (41), Sweeney for Morgan (53), Cooper for Peel (67), McBryde for Davies (64), Yapp for A. Jones (67), J. Thomas for R. Jones (77).
Not Used: Sowden-Taylor.

Att: 78,250

Ref: Paul Honnis (New Zealand).