Wales’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Championship were dashed as they were beaten 29-11 by France.
An early Welsh penalty from Harri Ford gave them a 3-0 lead, but they were soon behind when wing Hoani Bosmorin crossed in the corner after nice work initially from the French forwards.
Another Ford penalty reduced the deficit to a single point, but more good work from the French pack led to their second try of the game through hooker Thomas Lacombre.
Bosmorin’s second try of the game, after several missed tackles from the Welsh defence, put Les Blues 21-6 up at the break.
And it took less than four minutes of second half action for France to secure a bonus point, as Mathis Castro-Ferreira dived over from less than a metre out.
Wales finally had a try of their own to celebrate in the final 10 minutes, Morgan Morse adding the final touch to a powerful driving maul.
But it proved too little too late for Wales, as they could not stage an unlikely comeback in torrid conditions in Cape Town.
Defeat means Wales miss out on the semi-finals, and instead look set to compete in the 5th-8th placed play-offs.
Wales U20s: Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby); Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Osian Thomas (Leicester Thomas), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC, Captain), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospeys)
Replacements: Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
