By David Williams
Wales Under 20s fell to a 47-15 defeat to a powerful France Under 20s side in Colwyn Bay.
Byron Hayward’s side showed plenty of character but were ultimately undone by the class of France who have moved to the top of the Under 20s Six Nations table, with Wales back in fourth place.
Wales started well enough with Jac Lloyd smashing over a penalty from 42 metres out.
But they made a costly error as they attempted to play the ball out of their own 22. The ball was turned over before it got put through French hands for Romain Fonnicola to touch down at the far right-hand corner.
Full back Leo Barre added the extras from the touchline, and France continued to apply pressure with hooker Connor Sa powering over from short range.
Wales showed tremendous character to force themselves back into this game.
TRY! Wales have been given a penalty try and France prop Thomas Moukoro is shown a yellow card for collapsing the maul 🏉
Wales U20 10-17 France U20
📺 Live on @BBCTwo Wales, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSport online
Watch here: https://t.co/zuQ5pMkUo0 pic.twitter.com/vUkp5A9CVf
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) March 10, 2022
Lloyd gave Wales a good attacking platform by drilling the ball deep into the France 22 from a penalty. A clever move by Wales saw Ryan Woodman popping the ball down to Morgan Morse before Thomas Moukoro illegally collapsed the maul.
The referee awarded a penalty try to Wales, and Moukoro was sent to the sin bin. Wales capitalised on their man advantage when second row Benji Williams showed his strength to smash his way over the line for the hosts’ second try.
France were then temporarily reduced to 13 men after Samuel M’Foudi got shown a yellow card for taking Bryn Bradley out in the air.
But despite being down to 13 men Barre extended the French lead at the stroke of half time meaning Wales trailed 20-15 at the interval.
Despite being at a significant numerical disadvantage France came out of the blocks firing in the early stages of the second half.
Barre made it a two score game again with another successful penalty before Sa scored a try from a well-worked driving lineout.
TRY! France get their bonus point try – conversion is good 🏉
Wales U20 15-37 France U20
📺 Live on @BBCTwo Wales, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSport online
Watch here: https://t.co/zuQ5pMkUo0 pic.twitter.com/6LiFnYgq3W
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) March 10, 2022
Wales dominated the next 20 minutes of this game as they lay siege to the France try line, but they were denied by some sloppy handling errors, and excellent defence by the visitors.
France claimed their try bonus point when Enzo Reybier picked off a long pass from Joe Hawkins to score.
France scored two late tries courtesy of Simon Tarel, and Max Auriac to seal their victory.
