Dragons RFC centre Harri Ackerman was an early injury victim as Wales U20 slipped to a third successive defeat in the U20 Six Nations as they succumbed to the power of the French pack in a 45-12 defeat at Cardiff Arms Park.
There were two home tries for the crowd to savour, but it wasn’t enough to derail the reigning World Rugby U20 global champions.
The Welsh side suffered the loss of their inspirational skipper Ackerman early in the first half to make life even more difficult for them. That put them even more under the cosh in a game that was made more difficult by a strong wind.
It ended six tries to two for the French, who had previously been beaten at home by both Ireland and Italy. Prop Zinedine Aouad scored twice in a five minute blitz at the end of the first half to turn a once highly competitive scoreline into a 28-5 interval lead.
Aouad’s double act meant the bonus-point was in the bag by the break and many feared the floodgates might open in the second half. But Wales doubled-down on their efforts and restricted the French to two more tries and picked off a second for themselves.
Ackerman, Harri Rees-Weldon, Walker Price, Huw Anderson and Nick Thomas from Dragons RFC all started while Jordan Morris was a replacement.
Wales Under-20s next face Italy in the final game of the Under-20s Six Nations on Friday, March 15.
