France U19, who had already thrashed Scotland U19 by 61-0, recorded their second win over Wales U19 in 2004, having won 25-14 at Bridgend earlier in March. Though outside-half Aled Thomas (Carmarthen Quins) opened the scoring with a penalty, France U19 took the lead through a try by their captain, scrum-half Fabien Cibray.
The talented French side ran in another three tries to gain a bonus point and will now meet South Africa U19 in the next round of games, while Wales U19 will be up against an Argentinian side who lost 29-6 to the South Africans before defeating Scotland U19 by 24-15.
Hopes in the Welsh camp had been high that the side would turn the 25-14 defeat at Bridgend on March 6th into a win but French strength up front and speed behind gave them the advantage in hot and humid conditions. Wales U19 trailed only 10-3 at half time having competed well, but French captain and Pau scrum-half Fabien Cibray got his side into the lead with a try before Wales U19 mounted some good pressure, wing Matthew Jeffery (Bridgend) coming near to scoring out wide.
There was a key moment just before half time when Thomas missed a reasonable penalty chance and from the drop out France U19 countered to work in their impressive centre Thibault Lacroix (Biarritz) for a try and the 10-3 lead. The Welsh line out was not its usual rich source of possession and with Wales U19 losing tiurnover ball in the loose fly-half Lionel Beauxis who has been keeping Arwel Thomas out of the senior Pau team dropped a goal. French tails were up and a try from flanker Thomas Dallhuin (Auch) converted by Beauxis got them to 20-3.
Replacements Ian Jones (Strade) at prop and Aled Brew (Neath College) on the wing injected some new vim into the Welsh effort but most of the Welsh work was devoted to defence with flankers Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd) and Will Waldron (Hartpury College) grafting away till the end.
France U19 got their fourth try and a precious bonus point two minutes from time when the powerful Lacroix finished off yet another French attack with a try converted by replacement wing Matthieu Bourret (Perpignan).
