SAM Warburton bemoaned Wales' lack of discipline after a lastgasp Brice Dulin try denied them a Grand Slam.
After Gail Fickou's red card, Wales conceded a raft of penalties with Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams sent to the sin bin.
“They were brilliant but then France had the red card and it literally gave them the licence to throw the kitchen sink at Wales,” said the former Wales captain.
“From that point they began to get some dominance and then Wales started giving away penalties and yellow cards which started a downward spiral.
“None of us saw that happening. It took the red card before France started playing.”
But Warburton was encouraged by Wales' performance labelling it the best of the Wayne Pivac era to date, with their attacking structure impressing the former Lions captain.
He said: “Taking my Welsh hat off what an unbelievable bit of entertainment that was.
“Every game Wales have been in it's been full of drama from minute one to minute 80. This is the best Wales have played under the new coaching regime.”
England World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson thought Wales blew it having been in control for the majority of this pulsating test match.
He said: “We'd all given him (Brice Dulin) man of the match for Wales but then he scores the winning try.
“France weren't playing situational rugby and then they go the length of the field to score. I think France lost their composure for most of that game but somehow they regained their composure to win.
“Wales got into referring trouble and they do play on the edge and it has worked for them. They frustrate you at the ruck.
“Still France couldn't score. I'm trying to put that half into some sort of structure but I just can't.”
