France pip brave Wales

FRANCE produced a devastating two try burst in the space of 90 seconds to snatch a late victory against Wales at the National Ground in Cardiff last night.

The French wrecked the home side's hopes of a second rugby union win in succession against them as number eight Abdelatif Benazzi and centre Stephane Glas struck in the last six minutes. Wales beat France in the Five Nations championship this year.

To add to Welsh disappointment last night, they were hit by injuries to acting skipper Nigel Davies and record try scorer Ieuan Evans.

Hooker Barry Williams looked to have set Wales on the road to victory with one of the quickest international debut tries on record after just two minutes.

But, despite further first half efforts from Evans and Bridgend's Gareth Thomas, France recovered.

Williams, called up when hooker and skipper Jonathan Humphreys cried off on the eve of the international with a hamstring injury, marked his debut with an excellent try.

Out half Neil Jenkins had seen a long range penalty attempt hit the bar, but Williams was on hand in the resulting melee to power over. Jenkins converted and then played his part in Wales' second try shortly afterwards as Davies made the decisive pass for Evans, who raced away to grab his 28th try for his country.

Evans then denied French skipper Philippe Saint Andre a certain try with a superb cover tackle in the corner, only to be immediately carried off with a deep gash to his thigh.

By that time Wales had also lost Davies, who was injured while making another tackle and was stretchered off with a legs injury.

France took advantage, with Glas following up a Dourthe penalty to force his way through the Welsh midfield and score the first of his two tries.

But Wales regained their composure for Thomas - eight tries to his credit in club rugby already this season - to collect a Jenkins chip and power home from 20 metres.

Two further Jenkins penalties gave Wales a handy 17 point advantage at the interval as they looked to follow up their victory over France in the last Five Nations Championship.

But the visitors responded after the interval, with full back JeanLuc Sadourny scoring a fine try which Dourthe converted.

The centre also kicked two penalties, before Jenkins responded with a huge effort from the touchline, which bounced over off the crossbar.

Dourthe and Jenkins traded further penalties before France levelled the score with a converted try, after Benazzi used his near 18 stones to score a fourth for his side.

Within seconds the French were attacking again for Merle to set up Glas, who sped home from 25 metres to seal victory.