Pivac’s side looked like they would seal a Championship clean sweep after they scored tries through Dan Biggar, Josh Navidi and Josh Adams before France’s Paul Willemse was red carded.
But in an astonishing finale at the Stade de France, a double-hit of Wales receiving two yellow cards and Brice Dulin scoring a try with the clock in the red zone saw the hosts snatch the win.
Wales can still win the title on points difference, but their hopes of a fifth straight Championship victory were denied right at the death.
“We came here to hopefully end the championship with a Grand Slam, but it wasn’t to be. It came down to the last play of the game,” Pivac said.
“That was obviously very disappointing for the players and everybody concerned.
“It was obviously a pretty exciting game for those watching, no doubt. We were down players at the end and we got down on the penalty count. I think it was 15-5 in the end.
“We were on a final warning and we lost two players so it was very difficult to defend 13 on 14, but the guys have done tremendously well to hold out the French attacks at the goal line.
“There were several in that last few minutes but, obviously, there was just one too many. Certainly our discipline in the last 10 minutes didn’t help us at all.”
Dejected Wales players after losing the game in the final seconds
We came here to hopefully end the championship with a Grand Slam, but it wasn’t to be. It came down to the last play of the game
Pivac continued: “It’s quite a numb feeling, really. The boys put in such a fantastic effort. The game went pretty much to plan in the first half.
“For us to go ahead 27-20 with 20-odd minutes to go was great and then there was a major point for us.
“I thought we got a fantastic drive going and there was a yellow card. For me, I was expecting a bit more than a yellow card, I thought maybe a penalty try, but it wasn’t given.
“It was a bit frustrating because, at that point, it’s 34-20 and I think it’s probably the Championship and possibly Grand Slam.
“It was just desperately frustrating and the players, obviously, got so close and yet so far.
“It’s a tough time for them. We have to be proud of the performance and proud of the effort they’ve put in throughout the Championship.
“Now we go away and wait to see the outcome of next week’s game.”
France will win the #GuinnessSixNations if…
They beat Scotland by at least 21 points & score at least 4️⃣ tries
OR
They beat Scotland by exactly 20 points & score at least 6️⃣ tries
🏆 The title will be shared if…
🇫🇷 beat Scotland by exactly 20 points & score exactly5️⃣ tries— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 21, 2021
France scored through Romain Taofifenua, Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon and Dulin whose last-gasp effort brought the curtain down on one of the best games in Six Nations history.
France will have to beat Scotland with a bonus point and win by 21 points or more on Friday to steal the title from Wales.
“It’s very frustrating. We were sitting there urging the team on in the last play of the game,” said Pivac.
“To go from potentially a Grand Slam performance to sitting back and waiting six days is frustrating, but there is nothing we can do now except sit back and watch that game next week.
“It’s a tough one. It’s a very good French side as you saw. When we got to a position in the game when we should have kicked on, they just kept coming and coming.
“They’ve got a lot of big men and they come hard on to the ball. They put us under pressure.
“They are a quality side, especially at home, and it’s going to be a tough ask for Scotland to come here and win the game.
“But we’ll be watching eagerly and we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
To go from potentially a Grand Slam performance to sitting back and waiting six days is frustrating, but there is nothing we can do now except sit back and watch that game next week
