Wales 25 France 13
A stunning second-half comeback from Wales ensured that they finished their U18 Six Nations Festival unbeaten following this exiting game at Temple Hill.
Wales trailed 13-5 at the break but came out firing in the second half to stop France in their tracks and pick off some excellent scores as they ran out convincing winners in the end.
Simon King, the Wales U18 Head Coach, said he was proud of what his side had achieved.
“It was a difficult first half for us because France played very well and worked the elements to their advantage because there was quite a stiff wind there. We told them to keep their heads and I thought they showed fantastic maturity to go out there and score some good points and in the end it was comfortable for us.”
France, who leave Cork having lost all of their games at the festival, got off to a strong start as outside half Amaury Geneste kicked two early penalties as he made the most of a strong breeze.
France were well organised and their attacking caused problems for the Welsh defence; Julien Petrod furthered the French advantage when he dived over to score a try which Geneste converted for a 13-0 lead.
Wales though made sure they didn’t slip too far behind when Scott Williams skipped through the centre to score a try just before half time.
That score gave Wales the belief they needed going into a tough second half and when outside half Matthew Jarvis, who has been in fine form at this festival, added two penalties after the restart their revival began as they looked to attack with every opportunity.
Two tries killed France off when Tom Crandon and Adam Hughes got on the end of some stylish phases of play and with Jenkins kicking the extras it ensured that Wales go home with a perfect record.
Wales U18: James Loxton (Blues), Adam Hughes (Dragons), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ieuan Coombes (Dragons), Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys), Rhys Downes (Blues), Daniel Watchurst (Dragons), Rhys Williams (Blues) (Capt), Simon Gardiner (Scarlets), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys), Tom Crandon (Dragons), Rhys Jenkins (Dragons), James Davies (Scarlets), James Thomas (Dragons)
Replacements: Stewart Maguire for Gardiner 55, Morgan Allen for J Davies 50 , Gareth Jenkins for Watchurst 68, James King for Crandon 70
France U18: Julien Cabannes (Mont de Marsan), Lucas DuPoint (Grenoble), Camille Canivet (La Rochelle), Adrien Domec (Biarritz), Sonny Falconetti (Toulon), Amaury Geneste (Begles), Teddy Iribaren (Toulouse), David Tarroque (Toulouse), Mickael Ivaldi (Toulon) (Capt), Paul Oliver (Beziers), Sebastian Mazet, Joris Archimbeau (Montpellier), Adrein Gach (Begles), Gilles Arnaudies, Julien Petrod (Bourgoin),
Replacements: Anthony Maury for Tarroque 32, Adrien Alazard for Mazet 35, Kevin Legeun for Ivaldi 35, Clement Baldy for Domec 55, Victor Muret for Gach 60
