Allan Lewis’ side stuck to their philosophy of always challenging the opposition with playing the ball in hand which produced some impressive attacking play and resulted in four tries in all.
France were first on the scoreboard with a penalty for Toulouse full back Thomas Ramos, but Wales then scored three unanswered tries, a brace for full back Steffan Evans with captain and right wing Dafydd Howells also touching down. The Welsh youngsters displayed good decision-making, angles of running and skill levels for all three scores, and although Ramos notched another penalty, the hosts went in 19-6 to the good at the break.
Half backs Dan Brooks and Angus O’Brien controlled the game well, O’Brien also slotting two conversions.
The Dragons and Caerleon pivot added a penalty early in the second half but Wales then dropped their guard somewhat and allowed the visitors back into the game. France scored two tries from outside half Lucas Chouvet and replacement No 8 Matthieu Majeau, Ramos adding the extras to take France within two points of Wales at 20-22 and putting Wales under considerable pressure.
However, Wales responded well with some fifteen man rugby, No 8 Tom Phillips and lock Josh Helps amongst those to make the hard yards before the backs showed some lovely handling skills to send Howells over, O’Brien’s conversion sealing the win. France had the last word with a try for Thomas Fortunel in the dying moments, converted by Ramos but Wales had done enough.
Wales play England next, at St Helens on Sunday 10 March (2.30pm).
Wales scorers: Tries: Steffan Evans (2), Dafydd Howells (2); Cons: Angus O’Brien (3);Pen: Angus O’Brien Â
Wales: Steffan Evans (Scarlets / Ysgol y Strade / Kidwelly); Dafydd Howells (capt, Ospreys / Neath Port Talbot Coll / Abercrave), Aled Summerhill (Blues / Coleg Morgannwg), Craig Woodall (Scarlets / Amman Valley), Josh Adams (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar / Pontyberem); Angus O’Brien (Dragons / Caerleon Comp / Caerleon), Dan Brooks (Ospreys / Llandovery Coll/ Bonymaen); Dillon Lewis (Blues / Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg / Pontypridd), Torin Myhill (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar / Burry Port), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets / Queen Elizabeth High / Carmarthan Athletic), Josh Helps (Scarlets / Dyffryn Taf), Rory Thornton (Ospreys / Gower College / Bonymaen), Ollie Hitchings (Blues/ Cowbridge Comp / Glamorgan Wanderers), Oliver Griffiths (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Crumlin), Tom Phillips (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar/ Llangennech)
Replacements: Callum Mitchell (RGC / Llandrillo College / Colwyn Bay), Ryan Elias (Scarlets / Bro Myrddin / Carmarthen Athletic), Alex Jeffries (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Newport), Adam Beard (Ospreys / Neath College / Birchgrove), Jordan Collier (Ospreys / Neath Port Talbot College / Neath), Tom Williams (Blues / Treorchy Comp / Treorchy), Luke Price (Ospreys / Maesydderwen / Abercrave), Joe Thomas (Ospreys / Neath Port Talbot Coll / Morriston)
