A try from Jean Huget redressed the balance temporarily before Jones kicked his second of the night to restore Wales U20’s advantage. After that, France U21 assumed almost total control with flanker and Captain Fulgent Ouedraodo helping himself to his side’s second unconverted try after fifteen minutes. Maxime Medard scored his side’s third try after twenty-five minutes with Francois Trin-Duc converting to extend that lead by a further two points.
A yellow card for Ken Owens, for stamping, after twenty-eight minutes further compounded Wales U20’s problems and when Gareth Maule went the same way for a high tackle, two minutes after the half-time interval the Welsh found themselves in all sorts of bother.
Whilst the Dragons’ centre was licking his wounds in the sin bin France U21 scored a further three tries to seal the spoils. Centre Arnaud Mignardi struck with the first, his side’s fourth, Medard added a fifth and left wing Jerome Palisson a sixth.
Wales U20 did grab a consolation when Jamie Corsi was driven over for a try that was converted by Jones, but it was all too little too late with France U21 rounding off a successful evening with a penalty from replacement Romain Sola.
Coach Dai Rees will be disappointed with the result, but with his side still eligible for U21 rugby next season, it was another invaluable game in their development.
