An early Welsh penalty from Dragons fly half Harri Ford gave them a 3-0 lead, but they were soon behind when Hoani Bosmorin crossed in the corner. It would be the first of two tries from the Stade Rochelais wing after the French forwards physicality had given Les Bleus the advantage in the early stages.
A second Ford penalty reduced the deficit to a single point, but more good work from the French pack led to hooker Thomas Lacombre crossing from close-range, before Bosmorin took advantage of poor Welsh defending to put France 21-6 up at the break.
The French started the second 40 as they finished the first and took less than four minutes of action for to secure a bonus point. A yellow card to Isaac Young paving the way for France to expose their extra man advantage. Toulouse back-row Mathis Castro-Ferreira diving over from less than a metre out.
It would be a hard slog for Richard Whiffin’s side who know the match would be a huge challenge after running New Zealand close and beating Spain in their other fixtures in the Pool. Wales to their credit would fight to the end and finally had a try of their own to celebrate in the final ten minutes. Ospreys Morgan Morse powering over from a well-worked driving maul.
The young Welsh side, however, would be well beaten with defeat meaning Wales miss out on the semi-finals, and instead will now compete in the 5th-8th placed play-offs on Sunday afternoon.
Wales U20s:
Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby), Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears), Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Osian Thomas (Leicester), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC, Captain), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).
Replacements:
Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby).
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
