France keep championship hopes alive

FRANCE produced a late flurry of tries as they eased past Wales to keep their title hopes alive with a bonus point win.

Bristol fly-half Jac Lloyd opened the scoring with a penalty to reward the hosts’ fast start but France responded with the opening try, capitalising on a handling error by spreading the ball wide to set up Romain Fonnicola in the corner.

The visitors enhanced their lead with a wonderful Leo Barre penalty and then scored their second try through hooker Connor Sa after heavy forward pressure.

The home fans finally had something to cheer about when referee Shota Tevadze awarded Wales a penalty try, with Thomas Moukoro sent to the sin bin for collapsing a driving maul.

Wales exploited their numerical advantage as Benji Williams produced a bustling run and held off tackles to ground the ball with one hand.

Player of the Match Barre’s impressive performance from the tee continued as he scored two penalties just after half-time.

However, discipline has been France’s Achilles heel throughout the tournament and they were shown their second yellow card as Samuel M’Foudi was binned for a clash with Bryn Bradley in the air.

However France kept up the pressure despite being a man down and Connor Sa scored his second after breaking off a lineout maul.

Enzo Reybier sealed the bonus point win late on by intercepting Joe Hawkins’ pass and ran through to dive under the posts.

There was still time for two further tries as replacement Simon Tarel went over in the corner before Max Auriac rounded off the scoring with a sensational solo effort to keep their title hopes alive ahead of next week’s finale at home to England.