France delivered a knockout blow to hosts England’s chances of lifting their first ever Sevens World Series title with a shock 21-14 victory. The French then recorded a win over USA to reach the Cup quarter finals for the first time since the 2009 London Sevens.
They will face a Welsh side who should be in confident mood despite a 31-12 defeat to title favourites New Zealand in pool play.
Wales went toe to toe with the Kiwis in the first half after the men in black raced off to a flier with a try in the first minute through Solomon King. However Wales regrouped and a patient build-up was rewarded when Adam Thomas scored wide out.
Wales harried New Zealand into mistakes but Tomasi Cama broke the deadlock in the last minute of the first half with a breakaway try.
An early converted second half try by Alex Cuthbert put a cat amongst the pigeons but three tries by Cama, Buxton Popoalii and Scott Curry sealed victory for Gordon Tietjens’ men.
Reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales impressed in their earlier Pool A games with comfortable victories against Spain and Kenya.
Wales began the first day of the competition with what was eventually a comfortable win over Spain by 33-10 after leading 14-5 at the break.
Spain who have been together for three weeks in England where they have taken part in a number of tournaments looked the part but it was the power, pace and ultimately the poise of Wales that saw Paul John’s men through their first tie.
Kristian Phillips opened the scoring for Wales before replacement Ifan Evans touched down for his side’s second score. Then in the second half Wales pulled away scoring tries through the tall Alex Cuthbert, skipper Jevon Groves, and the experienced Richie Pugh, Gareth Davies finishing with four conversions.
To ensure their place in the Cup quarter finals, Wales had to dispose of the Pool A third seeds, Kenya. The East Africans are talented sevens players but against Wales they were thwarted by an organised Welsh defence and a cutting attack.
Jeavon Groves gave Wales the best of starts with an early try and by the interval Wales had score two more, from Gareth Owen and Alex Cuthbert with one conversion from Gareth Davies to lead 17-7 at half time.
Then in the second half Wales stretched their lead with tries by Gareth Davies and Rhys Shellard and one further converson from Davies to wrap up the tie with a 29-12 victory..
“We were pleased the way things went today,” said Wales Sevens coach, Paul John.
“First game is always difficult but to get through that was excellent. The boys did really well against Kenya, keeping them out with great defence, and scoring tries when we needed to,” he added.
“The game against New Zealand there wasn’t a lot in it. We have an opportunity in the quarter finals. We’ve got to maintain our standard and go a little higher”.
Wales Sevens squad: Jevon Groves (capt, Dragons), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Nicky Griffiths (Dragons), Adam Thomas (Pontypridd), Alex Walker (Eastwood, Sydney), Warren Davies (Tonmawr), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Will Price (Aberavon)
