The result eases pressure on coach Marc Liveremont after their shock defeat to Italy last week and after an even opening quarter it soon became clear Wales would not be able to muster the points swing necessary to snatch the title from England's grasp.

Any thoughts that France would be as poor as they were in Rome a week ago, were soon banished as Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire made life difficult for Mike Phillips with some ferocious counter-rucking.

James Hook kicked Wales into an early lead with a tricky penalty before Morgan Parra drew the French level from the left after Wales were penalised for not rolling away.

Hook then missed with a second penalty attempt before Warren Gatland was dealt a blow when Sam Warburton had to leave the field after just 15 minutes with a knee injury, being replaced by Ospreys' Jonathan Thomas.

Dan Lydiate was penalised for holding on after Wales had disrupted a French lineout giving Parra the opportunity to give Les Bleus the lead for the first time after 25 minutes.

Defensive coach Shaun Edwards was a notable absentee in Paris after he didn't travel for disciplinary reasons.

Leigh Halfpenny looked set to score the game's opening try but for a sensational tap-tackle by Francois Trinh-Duc.

Lee Byrne's delightful pass took Alexis Palisson out of play but Trinh-Duc's desperate effort caught Halfpenny and the Blues winger knocked the ball on as he fell to the ground.

Parra then missed the chance to extend France's lead as he missed a tough penalty wide left after Wales' had collapsed an ominous-looking French maul.

But just as Wales appeared to have kept France out, Nallet pounced on a loose ball at a ruck.

The Racing-Metro lock, who admitted prior to the game that he expected to be one of those to pay the price for the Italian debacle showed great power and pace to race over from 40m, despite the attentions of James Hook and Jonathan Davies.

Parra's conversion drifted wide but France led 11-3 at half-time

Wales went on the attack at the start of the second half and Julien Bonnaire was penalised for not rolling away, Hook duly converting the kick.

But straight from the restart Hook's clearing kick was charged down and Nallet collected the ball to power over for his second, Parra converting.

Hook's horror half continued as he was harshly sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Parra.

And France took immediate advantage as Vincent Clerc collected Trinh-Duc's deft chip to go under the posts and stretch the lead further, Parra adding the extras to make it 28-9.

Wales then had a great chance to get themselves back into it as Jamie Roberts burst through before finding Davies but Parra produced a magnificent last gasp tackle.

George North produced a scintillating run from his own 22, showing a glimpse of why he is has caused such a stir but again the French defence held out.

It could have been even worse for Wales as Clerc almost crept past North only to be pushed into touch just short.