Macauley Cook’s side were 16-6 adrift at the break, and then 23-9 behind after 50 minutes, but the reliable boot of outside half Matthew Morgan and Robinson’s try made it a thrilling finish in which the visitors came within a few metres of a second try.
The game ended with Wales trying to clinch a draw in similar fashion to the way in which the Irish did against them at Parc y Scarlets, but Morgan was turned-over just short and the French were very happy to clear their lines and end the game.
The 29-22 defeat meant Cook’s men ended their campaign with losses to England and France, a draw with Ireland and wins over Scotland and Italy. Now they have to move on to the IRB World Junior Championships in Italy this summer.
“The players have given everything in all our games and I’ve learned a lot about them and their attitude. They are all very proud to pull on the red shirt,” said Wales coach Darren Edwards.
The first of the home side’s two tries came while Cardiff Blues flanker Tom Young was in the sin-bin for an offence at the breakdown. Young was the first of three forwards to pick up yellow cards, but it took 69 minutes before the English referee eased the ire of the Welsh coaching team by sending home prop Pierre Julien to the sidelines.
The battle at the breakdown was fierce throughout, with the Welsh giving as good as they got, and there were plenty of turn-overs for both sides. In the end, French No 8 Gillian Gallan also picked up a yellow card, but his departure left Wales with only one more play.
Morgan opened the Welsh account with a close range drop goal and ended with 17 points. He missed with only one kick on the night to end with 64 points from his first campaign at this level.
He added two penalties to his drop goal, but opposite number Jean-Marc Doussain also hit the mark with three penalties and converted wing Marvin O’Connor’s try to make it 16-9 at the break.
Morgan cut the gap with his third penalty seven minutes into the second half, but disaster struck from the re-start when back row man Ed Siggery dropped the ball in his 22 and outstanding French scrum half Yann Lesgourgues broke down the blindside to cross for a try which Doussain improved.
Another Morgan penalty followed before Doussain’s replacement, Jules Plisson, hammered home a neat drop goal. Then came Robinson’s score, with Lloiyd Peers and Rheon James by leading rols in the build-up.
Morgan’s conversion heralded a thrilling final 10 minutes. A penalty from Jean-Pascal Barraque gave the French a 10 point lead again before Morgan hoisted his match tally to 17 with his fourth penalty.
Wales pressed hard for the try they needed to have a shot at a draw, but just fell short in a game that proved their potential to mix it with the top sides.
Scorers: France: Tries: M O’Connor, Y Lesgourgues; Cons: J-M Doussain 2; Pens ; J-M Doussain 3, J-P Barraque ; DG J Plisson. Wales: Try: H Robinson; Con: M Morgan; Pens: M Morgan 4; DG: M Morgan.
France Under-20: Jean Buttin (Clermont Auvergne); Marvin O’Connor (Grenoble), Jean-Pascal Barraque (Biarritz), Pierre Bérard (Montpellier), Geoffrey Palis (Albi); Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse, capt), Yann Lesgourgues (Biarritz); Sébastien Taofifenua (Perpignan), Romain Colliat (Castres), Victor Delmas (Colomiers), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Brive), Pierre Gayraud (Perpignan), Pierre Julien (Agen), Julien Come (Racing Métro 92), Gillian Galan (Toulouse).
Replacements: Clément Bourgeois (Section Paloise), Florian Fresia (Toulon), Mathias Marie (Biarritz), Kelian Galletier(Montpellier), Sébastien Bezy (Toulouse), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Alexandre Mourot (Clermont Auvergne).
Wales Under-20: Steve Shingler (Scarlets/Llanelli); Liam Williams (Llanelli), Owen Williams (Blues/Cardiff), Rheon James (Carmarthen Quins), Harry Robinson (Blues); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys/Swansea), Jonathan Evans (Dragons/Newport); Rhodri Jones (Scarlets/Llanelli), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets/Llanelli), Will Taylor (Ospreys/Swansea), Macauley Cook (capt, Blues/Cardiff), Cory Hill (Blues/Pontypridd), Edward Siggery (Pontypridd), Thomas Young (Blues/Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Ospreys/Bridgend).
Replacements: Sam Parry (Llandovery), Will Griff John (Blues/Pontypridd), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys/Bridgend), Owen Sheppeard (Blues/Pontypridd), Lewis Jones (Pontypridd), Joseff Griffin (Blues/Cardiff). Adam Warren (Llandovery).
