France overhaul Wales at U20 World Championship
France Under-20s have done the double over Wales Under-20s in 2025
- Published
France (7) 35
Tries: Tilloles, Jabea Njocke, Daunivucu, Mousques, Bissu Cons: Jurd 5
Wales (21) 21
Tries: Scott, Bowen, Woods Cons: Wilde 3
Wales were again overhauled at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship where France fought back from a 21-7 half-time deficit to win in Rovigo.
Richard Whiffin's side repeated their early efforts against Argentina, moving into a 21-7 lead in the first quarter after conceding an early try to French scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles.
Prop Sam Scott and wing Tom Bowen extended Wales' lead, with fly-half Harri Wilde converting all three of his side's first-period scores.
France hit back through prop Edouard Jabea Njocke and centre Simeli Daunivucu, and after replacement Wales prop Louie Trevett was sent off for a dangerous croc-roll, Xan Mousques put France back into the lead.
Bobby Bissu extended the advantage with Jurd converting to set up France for a likely Pool B decider against Argentina on Wednesday, 9 July.
Wales must overcome Spain to avoid the scramble against finishing bottom of the 12-team end-of-tournament rankings.
Wales boss Whiffin made three starting changes, with wing Bowen going from bench to starting XV as Wales aimed to bounce back from their 34-27 opening defeat by Argentina in Pool B.
Harri Ford made way for Wilde at fly-half and Dan Gemine came in at lock to face a France side who had beaten Spain 49-11 on Sunday to kick off their challenge.
After Tilloles' opener, prop Scott barged over as Wales levelled and Bowen combined superbly with full-back Woods before taking the return pass to score.
Wales' third came after Steffan Emmanuel's cut-out service allowed wing Elijah Evans to chip ahead for Woods to win the foot race.
France centre Robin Taccola was sin-binned for a dangerous challenge on Woods, a decision rightly not upgraded to red with Emanuel having inadvertently impeded the Frenchman's approach run.
France cut the lead soon after the break as their fightback pressure eventually paid dividends. with replacement prop Jabea Njocke crashing over and fly-half Jurd adding the extras.
Soon after, centre Daunivucu burst clear for Jurd to tie the scores as the last quarter loomed.
Worse was to follow with replacement prop Trevett yellow carded a minute after entering the fray for the illegal ruck clear-out that had France open-side Noa Traversier screaming in pain.
An off-field review confirmed Trevett deserved a 20-minute red card and Mousques added to Welsh woes as he pounced on a bouncing ball to put France into the lead, Jurd again adding the conversion.
Bissu dashed clear of a close-range line-out to bring the scoring to a close as France ensured victory over a Wales side they had beaten 63-19 in the 2025 Six Nations.
France U20s: Jon Echegaray; Xan Mousques, Robin Taccola, Simeli Daunivucu, Tom Leveque; Diego Jurd, Baptiste Tilloles; Samuel Jean-Christophe, Lyam Akrab, Mohamed Megherbi, Bartholome Sanson, Antoine Deliance (capt), Noa Traversier, Elyjah Ibsaiene.
Replacements: Gabin Garault, Edouard Jabea Njocke, Lenny Alifanety, Remy Lanen, Bobby Bissu, Simon Daroque, Luka Keletaona, Kalvin Gourgues.
Wales U20s: Jack Woods; Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Tom Bowen; Harri Wilde, Sion Davies; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Bristol Bears, Kenzie Jenkins, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Minto.
Replacements: Saul Hurley, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Tom Cottle, Caio James, Ellis Lewis, Harri Ford, Osian Darwin-Lewis.
Referee: Morgan White (Hong Kong)