By David Parsons
Wales slipped to a third successive defeat in the U20 Six Nations as they succumbed to the power of the France pack in a 45-12 defeat at Cardiff Arms Park.
There were two home tries for the crowd to savour, but it wasn’t enough to derail the reigning World Rugby U20 global champions.
The Welsh side also suffered the loss of their inspirational skipper Harri Ackerman early in the first half to make life even more difficult for them.
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That put them further under the cosh in a game that was made difficult by a strong wind.
It ended six tries to two for the French, who had previously been beaten at home by both Ireland and Italy.
Prop Zinedine Aouad scored twice in a five minute blitz at the end of the first half to turn a once highly competitive scoreline into a 28-5 interval lead.
Aouad’s double act meant the bonus-point was in the bag by the break and many feared the floodgates might open in the second half.
But Wales doubled-down on their efforts and restricted the French to two more tries and picked off a second for themselves.
U20 six nations rugby, Wales v France in Cardiff tonight, pics by Andrew Orchard pic.twitter.com/qt4kB0TY6m
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Despite playing into the strong wind, it was France who struck first. After Wales had brought down a maul illegally, France used the advantage to go to their backs, with wing Maxence Bisotto breaking the line in the home 22 before sending in full back Xan Mousques for a great team try.
Jean Cotarmanac’h converted from the touchline and went on to kick 11 points with a penalty and four conversions. The only points from the Wales side in the first half came from a try by prop Josh Morse.
Shortly after French wing Nathan Bollengier picked up a yellow card for an intentional knock-on, the Scarlets prop crashed over after a clever rolling maul. Harri Ford couldn’t convert from wide out, but at least Wales were back to within two.
Back came the French, inspired by a superb 50:22 by Mousques. That set-up a position from which the highly impressive Quere Karaba powered over to score a try that Cotarmanac’h once again converted.
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That’s how it stayed until the quickfire two try salvo from Aouad just before the break. Wales had a mountain to climb in the second half, but battled as hard as they had done in Bath and Cork in the defeats against England and Ireland.
Cotarmanac’h added a penalty at the start off the second half and then the visitors fifth try came just before ethe hour mark.
After an overthrown line-out, Thomas Souverbie was quickest to react and served Tolofua, who crashed through and carried Harri Ford over the line before scoring.
Replacement outside half Souverbie converted to make it 38-5. Wakes managed to react and replacement scrum half Rhodri Lewis paved the way for a second try with a pin-point grub kick in behind the French defence ti allow Page to run onto it to score.
Wales wing Harry Rees-Weldon was sent to the sin-bin as he went off his feet desperately trying to win a turnover in his 22 and the French took full advantage of the extra-man to pick up a sixth try from centre Mathys Belaubre.
Wales complete their campaign against Italy at the Arms Park on Friday, 15 March.
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