It was huge disappointment for coach Byron Hayward’s side who had led for the majority of the match.
Outside half Angus O’Brien also had a chance at a longe range penalty in second half stoppage time but was just wide of the mark.
Having beaten the French in the pool stages of the competition, Wales had the perfect chance to finally erase the memory of their Six Nations defeat in Colwyn Bay.
However, they had to come from behind after Jean Thomas swept in for a second minute try that Baptiste Serin converted.
O’Brien’s first successful penalty, three minutes later, cut the deficit and after 20 minutes, Wales were in front when centre Jack Dixon helped himself to a try that O’Brien converted for a 10-7 lead.
One try became two, nine minutes before the interval, when Tyler Morgan crossed the whitewash for a try to take the score to 15-7.
Tommy Raynaud scored an unconverted try in the 37th minute to leave Wales leading 15-12 at the break. However, Wales increased their advantage seven minutes into the second half when O’Brien was on target with a penalty.
Sadly, with barely 10 minutes of the game remaining Jean Baptiste Singer touched down for a try that Serin converted and Wales will now play Samoa to see who finishes seventh.
Wales will now play Samoa for seventh place on Friday.
Wales Under 20 head coach Byron Hayward said, “We made too many basic errors and had too little possession to win the game. We went 7-0 down within two minutes through giving away good field position.
“We then came back into the game with two great tries but with just 36% possession,you can’t expect to win international matches at this level.
“We were forced to defend for most of the match and our line-out didn’t function at all well. We can’t have any complaints with the number of individual mistakes we made and we will just have to get up again to play Samoa on Friday.”
Scorers
Wales
Tries: Jack Dixon, Tyler Morgan
Conversion: Angus O’Brien
Penalties: Angus O’Brien (2)
France
Tries: Jean Thomas, Jean Baptiste Singer, Tommy Raynaud
Conversions: Baptiste Serrin (2)
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