THERE could be few complaints this time, for Wales were outpointed by a stronger, better- equipped Grand Slam- chasing French team at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.

Though Ireland's shock victory over world champions England at Twickenham on Saturday put Wales' performance at Lansdowne Road in perspective, it was still a hefty improvement on that showing.

The second French try came from a forward pass after Wales captain Colin Charvis inexplicably ignored a certain three points when his side were trailing 26-15, and instead went for a scrum where Wales were being shown the way. Predictably, the chance went begging.

And more than one referee might have allowed the 'try' Rhys Williams scored, but he was recalled for crossing. Coach Steve Hansen afterwards called for the International Board to clarify the law, and even WRU chief David Moffett was fuming.

But those incidents apart, French power and skill held sway, and though Wales led for 17 minutes during the first half, few could complain about the result.

And not many could quibble with the effort of the Welsh team, either, for they put in a pretty big effort against the World Cup semi-finalists, but had to settle for a reasonable second best in the end.

The French arrived full of confidence, even with a touch of arrogance, their captain, Fabien Pelous, almost dismissing Wales before the start.

But even if they deserved to win, at no stage could France take victory for granted, and there were spells when they were forced into a near panic, particularly in the closing stages, when Wales went flat out.

But they had a decisive edge up front, where their greater experience and expertise in the set pieces gave them the platform for victory, and a near-certain Grand Slam with Scotland away and England at home to come.

Hansen defended his front- row selection, with Gethin Jenkins, a converted loose head at tight head, and Michael Owen, not fully used to the lock position yet, by asking critics to name anyone better.

In fact, he praised Owen to the skies, saying he's a real star of the future in the lock position.

Hansen still insists the Welsh front five will prove a major force in a few years, and that games like yesterday's against France will only help them.

The Welsh backs didn't suffer much in comparison with the French, either, expecially considering how often they were on the back foot.

It is still a moot point whether Gareth Cooper or Dwayne Peel is the better scrum- half, but Stephen Jones enjoyed a much better game. He kicked five penalties, missing just once, and his loop with replacement Ceri Sweeney created a delightful try for Martyn Williams minutes from the end.

Williams was on the field more than many replacements, twice replacing the stricken Colin Charvis, off with a nose injury, and then Dafydd Jones.

Rhys Williams defended better than he has for many a day, Shane Williams showed a few touches but had little chance, and Gareth Thomas again justified his selection at full back, though he often appeared in the Welsh scrum, another decision Hansen justified on the grounds of size as well as practice.

There weren't more than seven points in it until France stretched away for a period in the second half, but still Wales came back and made it an exciting finale, scoring their only try and pressing for more.

It took almost the first 40 minutes for the first try to arrive after Jones kicked four penalties and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde - whose father used to play with Hansen for La Rochelle - landed two.

Then the French pack swept their counterparts aside with a driving maul, and Frederic Michalak had the presence of mind to spot Wales had left the blindside unguarded, so he dashed around and linked with wing Vincent Clerc, who put back-row forward Imanol Harinordoquy over for his third try in two games.

That was on the stroke of half-time. Then Elissalde kicked two more penalties early in the second half, Jones replying with another, before the little scrum- half raced 50 yards for the decisive try, when the Welsh scrum was destroyed, though there was more than a suspicion of a forward pass.

Elissalde converted and kicked another penalty to complete a 24-point haul and earn the man-of-the-match award before limping off.

Wales showed commendable spirit to battle back with Martyn Williams' try, which Jones converted after Rhys Williams' effort was ruled out for crossing.

They tried so hard for another with Wales player of the match Michael Owen, Rhys Williams, Dwayne Peel and Martyn Williams all going for the line, only to fail narrowly.

It was a pretty glorious failure, but it just wasn't to be and France achieved their predictable narrow victory. Wales: G Thomas, R Williams, M Taylor (T Shanklin 61), I Harris (C Sweeney 71), S Williams, S Jones, G Cooper (D Peel 49), I Thomas (B Evans 57), M Davies (H Bennett 77), G Jenkins, B Cockbain (G Llewellyn 63), M Owen, J Thomas, D Jones (M Williams 57), C Charvis, captain (M Williams 13-20, 27-32). Scorers -- try: M Williams; conversion: S Jones; penalties: Jones (5).

France: N Brusque, V Clerc, Y Jauzion, D Traille, C Dominici, F Michalak, J-B Elissalde (D Yachvili 72), S Marconnet, W Servat (Y Bru 67), P de Villiers, F Pelous (captain), P Pepe, S Betsen, T Lievremont (O Magne 57), I Harinordoquy.

Scorers -- tries: I Harinordoquy, J-B Elissalde; conversions: Elissalde (2); penalties: Elissalde (5).