Will anyone stop ‘massive favourites’ France in Six Nations?

Perhaps it was lost in translation, but Fabien Galthie’s declaration that Grand Slam-chasing France “performed reasonably” against Wales should be enough to strike fear into Italy, Scotland and England.

While the Welsh attempt to somehow avoid a third-straight Wooden Spoon, Les Bleus are hunting a first clean sweep since 2022.

France swatted aside Ireland in round one and ran eight tries past Wales in front of a large travelling contingent at the Principality Stadium.

Part three of the Grand Slam bid is against dangerous Italy in Lille on Sunday before Scotland away and England in Paris.

“We can’t stop moving forward,” said Galthie. “We are performing reasonably but nothing is sure.

In some ways, what Les Bleus achieved in Cardiff was nothing special – Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa had already hit Steve Tandy’s side for half-centuries in the autumn.

The home side felt their performance was reasonable – and certainly better than in the round one hammering by England – yet they were still overwhelmed in all departments.

France scored the first of their eight tries after 88 seconds and had three inside the opening 15 minutes, including a 23rd try in 24 caps for electric wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

His fellow wing Theo Attissogbe, who has replaced France’s all-time record try-scorer Damian Penaud in the side, scored twice in the second half as the visitors claimed their biggest Six Nations triumph in the Welsh capital.

They could have had even more with an attack marshalled by Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert racking up 28 line breaks, 31 defenders beaten, 1,136 carry metres and 24 offloads.

“When you play a team like that you have to be good at everything,” said former England and British and Irish Lions captain Martin Johnson on BBC One.

“France had zero worries because they knew they were going to win, they knew they were too good.

“They’re all so comfortable on the ball. When they’re confident and there’s no jeopardy, I was thinking ‘thank god I’m not on that field’.

Johnson won five Six Nations titles as a player but only two Grand Slams, so knows that potential banana skins lie ahead for Les Bleus.

“France are massive favourites to win this tournament, everyone is talking about how good they are,” he said.

“You’ve got to deal with that expectation. They’re looking very good, they’ve got huge depth, they’ve got massive confidence at the moment, but you’ve got to get them into a point where they feel pressure.”

Fellow former Lions captain Sam Warburton – who won a Grand Slam and title with Wales – believes that is easier said than done.

“France have got that double-edged sword of physicality up front and the ball-playing ability out wide,” said the former flanker.

That swagger is providing plenty of entertainment for French supporters, who were rewarded for their long weekend in Cardiff with a thumping win.

It was Wales’ smallest Six Nations crowd despite an impressive travelling contingent that boosted the coffers of the capital’s pubs.

Plenty will venture to Murrayfield with great expectations, and a little more trepidation.

“At the end when they were singing, we felt like we were in the Stade de France,” said star scrum-half Dupont.

“It’s incredible to feel that you are at home when playing away.”

A win in Lille and another in Edinburgh would give France the chance to secure an 11th Grand Slam against England.

Tandy is well placed to judge France’s qualities after a tough start to his reign that has featured assignments against the Pumas, All Blacks, Springboks and England.

“They’re in a great space to achieve that, but the Six Nations is funny,” said Tandy.