Gatland’s men hauled themselves back into the game having been 20-0 down at half time as Alexis Palisson and François Trinh-Duc ran in interception tries after James Hook and Shane Williams each threw a wayward pass.

And although there were positives in their second-half comeback, Gatland maintains those are wiped out by their first-half horror show.

He said: “If we can stop being our own worst enemies and get it right we are not far away from being a very good side.

“We could have thrown in the towel at half-time, but we played some fantastic rugby in the second-half and showed some great character and put ourselves in a position to win the game.

“We were the architects of our own demise. Two intercept tries were really costly. It is hugely frustrating.

“Our fitness was superb, and we had France on the ropes. They were out on their feet.”

“There was only one team playing rugby, and we had 70% territory and possession in that second-half.”