Key takeaways:

• France secured a dominant 43-0 victory over Wales in their Six Nations opener.
• Antoine Dupont played a pivotal role, assisting three of France's seven tries.
• This defeat marked Wales' 13th consecutive Test loss and their first scoreless performance in the Six Nations era.
• Romain Ntamack received a red card, raising concerns for France ahead of their next game against England.
• Wales will be looking to recover in their upcoming fixture against Italy after a dismal outing.

PARIS (AP) — Antoine Dupont returned to the Six Nations in spectacular fashion, leading France to a resounding 43-0 victory over Wales, in what was a dismal start for Warren Gatland's team in the championship, on January 31. According to AP, Dupont orchestrated the match, setting up three tries and demonstrating why he is regarded as one of rugby's elite players.

France quickly gained momentum, with Dupont providing a seamless assist to wing Theo Attissogbe who scored at the 18-minute mark. Louis Bielle-Biarrey followed up with two tries, both set up by Dupont, as France cruised to a staggering 28-0 lead by halftime. The score extended Wales' national record losing streak to 13 tests, an ignoble feat that has stunned fans and critics alike. BBC highlighted that it was the first time in 27 years Wales had failed to score in a Six Nations match, echoing a similar scoreline from a 51-0 defeat to France in 1998.

In a remarkable display, France's scrumhalf Dupont pulled the strings effectively while capitalizing on Welsh errors. The French team showcased their prowess with a total of seven tries, including second-half scores from Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton, and Gregory Alldritt. Thomas Ramos added his name to the score sheet with four successful conversions, moving him into second place on France's all-time scoring list with 387 points. As noted by Le Monde, Ramos is now in pursuit of Frederic Michalak's record of 436 points.

However, a dark cloud loomed over the French victory as flyhalf Romain Ntamack received a red card in the 71st minute for a controversial high tackle, raising questions about his participation in future matches. Reuters reported that his absence will be felt as France prepares to face a challenging England side next weekend.

Meanwhile, Gatland, the Welsh coach, is under immense pressure as his side embarks on a crucial match against Italy after their humiliating loss. Reflecting on the heavy defeat, he urged his players to learn from the experience, stating, "We can't hide away from that. We need to get the monkey off our back." Welsh fans now look towards the Stadio Olimpico with hopes of redemption in their upcoming fixture. BBC emphasized the importance of this match for Wales, as the team grapples with both injuries and their ongoing losing streak.

As the Six Nations progresses, both teams will be eyeing improvement, with France aiming for title contention while Wales seeks to avoid further embarrassment.