French show they’re a class apart

THE French Grand Slammers of last season made Wales suffer on the opening day of the defence of their title as they plundered nine tries in Montpellier.

The champions were quickly into their stride and got off the mark with the first of a hat-trick of tries from hooker Caroline Thomas from a driving line-out that followed two power scrums.

The lead gradually grew as the pressure mounted. Fly-half Camille Imart landed a penalty and then the bonus-point was secured before the break with further tries from the outstanding lock Safi N’Diaye, Thomas again and left wing Lea Murie.

Wales’ only points in a first-half played totally on the back foot came from a 14th minute penalty from fly-half Roby Wilkins after a great kick-chase from Jazz Joyce and a superb jackal by prop Amy Evans.

The points continued to flow in the second half for France, who had the stars of the show at No.8 and scrum-half in Romane Menager and Pauline Bourdon. Menager scored twice in the space of 11 minutes at the start of the second half before Thomas completed her hat-trick.

The rout was completed by replacement wing Doriane Constanty as she picked off a Wilkins pass 5m from the French line and then Murie bagged her second try on full-time.

There were some brave performances from the Welsh side, with Olympian Joyce the pick of the bunch along with locks Siwan Lillicrap and Mel Clay, but once again the gulf in class between the top sides in Europe and the Welsh was underlined on scoreboard.