A near full-strength France side overcame the battling Welsh 48-6 in St Esteve on Saturday to go through to the 2025 World Series.
Wales, who didn’t have the luxury to be able to rotate their squad, fought well for the whole game, but it was France’s Super League returnees who controlled things for the home side.
In the third minute, Wales had the first chance to score. Good work from Elliot Kear and Mike Butt created the chance, but Huw Worthington mishandled when under pressure as he was diving for the line.
But France, who made 12 changes to their starting line-up from the side who beat Ukraine on Tuesday, made them pay. From their first real attack, Arthur Romano went over for a try. Cesar Rouge converted.
Rouge, one of the Super League players who were rested on Tuesday, then went over for a try himself but couldn’t land the kick.
France quickly increased their lead with two more tries, first from Rouge which he converted, then from Romain Franco on the wing, with Rouge unable to convert.
Wales finally managed to cross on 28 minutes when Rhys Williams ran through for his record extending 24th try for the Wales men’s side. Kear helped to create the try, nicely playing the ball to Mike Butt, who released Williams. Fozard converted.
France went into the break 20-6 up but it might have been more. A couple of minutes before the break, they had a try disallowed for a forward pass, where Hakim Miloudi was pulled back after running the length of the field.
But they soon extended their lead after the interval, Eloi Pelissier reaching out to score and Rouge converting.
Justin Sangare soon followed that up, as he dived over under pressure with Rouge kicking the goal. A further touchdown from Franco was ruled out for a forward pass.
Then, following back-to-back sets on the Wales line, Fages skipped away from the scrum to score. Rouge couldn’t convert.
France cemented the win with two tries in the last three minutes, first from Lambert Belmas, then a brilliant effort from Tiaki Chan who caught a perfect Rouge lob.
