Les Bleues had gone down 13-12 in atrocious conditions in Brescia and were clearly in no mood to suffer the same fate in the north of France.

In the mud in Italy, France were unable to take advantage of possession and territorial dominance, going down as a result of Veronica Schiavon's late penalty.

Wales had been beaten in a similar manner against Ireland, succumbing to Gillian Bourke's late try, but on this occasion there was to be no nailbiting finish.

France made a flying start, with fly-half Jessy Tremoulière at the forefront as she racked up 22 points on the night including two tries.

Tremoulière got the ball rolling after just three minutes with a penalty, and scored all 20 first-half points for the home side as they took complete control.

The French dominance was built on a powerful set-piece which the Welsh simply could not deal with, while the linebreaking ability of the home back row allowed Tremoulière to strut her stuff.

After the break France allowed their intensity to drop a little as Wales tried to come back into it.

However just before the hour mark full-back Caroline Ladagnous showed her pace to extend the French lead.

And there was still time for replacement front row Laetitia Salles to take advantage of the power of her pack to go over for a fourth French try.

The visitors refused to give in and threw everything at France in search of a consolation score, but although Rafiuke Taylor looked to be away down the touchline, winger Elodie Guiglion got back to deny her and keep the French line unbreached.