BBC Sportrugbyunion

In a beaten pack, the Cardiff Blues open-side was again a ubiquitous presence for his side in Paris.

He was part of Wales' gutsy defensive effort and came very close to holding up Cedric Heymans when the French wing crossed after the break.

The 33-year-old's tenacity and reading of the game saw him win two turnovers while his last-gasp charge to the line almost kept Wales in the hunt for a Grand Slam.

VERDICT: The stand-out contender for the number seven shirt.