Yahoo Sports France run riot against Wales in U20s Summer Series
U20s Six Nations Summer Series: France v Wales
France (28) 57
Tries: Arbey, Levy, Hagel, Zdzioblo, Neri, Tounkara, Morland, Bazola, Zago Cons: Levy 6
Wales (7) 12
Tries: Isaac, Williams Con: Metcalfe
Wales were outclassed by nine-try France in their U20s Six Nations Summer Series opener in Parma.
The French were dominant in every aspect as the Welsh defence struggled to live with their free-flowing offload game at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, the home of Zebre Rugby.
It was the first game to be played at the inaugural tournament, which aims to provide players an opportunity to gain international experience.
Teams are made up of predominately Under-20 players, but with each union able to select up to three Under-23 players in their matchday squad.
France had nine different try-scorers, while fly-half Mae Levy enjoyed a personal points haul of 17 in the baking Italian sunshine.
Their first came inside two minutes, with Suliana Sivi finding space on the wing before offloading inside to Kelly Arbey.
They were back in for a second shortly after, a dominant French scrum freeing the flowing backs, with centres Enoe Neri and Hawa Tounkara combining to allow Levy to score.
The Welsh penalty count began to rise under pressure and France number eight Marie Morland took the ball brilliantly to the line, offloading to Lou Roboam who made the break for Cleo Hagel to go over.
Wales showed glimpses of promise, Alaw Pyrs living up to her growing reputation with a well-taken turnover, while senior Wales international Nel Metcalfe fired a warning shot with a line-break on a rare visit to the French twenty-two.
The fourth try came the way of the French, this time through route one, the forwards bullying their way to the line allowing Marion Zdzioblo to dot down.
Wales, encouraged by the roars of head coach Liza Burgess from the sideline, finished the half with a flourish as Morland was shown a yellow card for cynical play.
Despite an overthrown lineout, Cadi Louis-Davies led the charge and Wales capitalised with a close range effort from Lucy Isaac before the teams headed to the tunnel for some much needed shade.
France began the second half as they did the first, a training ground move off a quick-tap penalty saw Neri carve up the Welsh defence to get her first of the festival.
They were straight back on the march after the re-start, Hagel tearing down the wing before Neri and Tounkara once again combined to score.
Wales’ task became even steeper when Isaac was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and France took full advantage on the hour mark, quick hands sending the ball out wide for the returning Morland to go over.
Wales kept France out for a further 10 minutes, but they were caught napping off a five metre lineout, another outstanding offload allowing replacement prop Amalia Bazola to crash over and take France to half a century.
Their final try came off the re-start, and it was the lock Kiara Zago who galloped her way to the line to seal an outstanding French victory.
But it was the Welsh who would have the final say, patient play among the forwards sucked in the defence and a sweeping pass from Hannah Marshall found Amy Williams in acres of space on her wing.
It was a promising glimpse of what Wales could do with possession.
They next play England on 9 July (20:00 BST), then hosts Italy on 14 July (17:30 BST).
France: Kelly Arbey; Cleo Hagel, Hawa Tounkara, Enoe Neri, Suliana Sivi; Mae Levy, Eneka Labeyrie; Mailys Borak, Marion Zdzioblo, Iliana Acolatse, Taina Maka, Kiara Zago, Zoe Jean, Lou Roboam, Marie Morland
Replacements: Agathe Fournie, Nelcya Kouyate, Amalia Bazola, Aminata Niakate, Victoire Foulon, Anna De Almedia, Anna Macipe, Lea Trollier.
Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Eleanor Hing, Kelsie Webster, Jenna De Vera (co-capt), Amy Williams; Freya Bell, Seren Singleton; Cana Williams, Abi Meyrick, Cadi-Lois Davies, Erin Jones, Alaw Pyrs, Lily Terry, Lucy Issac, Jess Rogers (co-capt).
Replacements: Molly Wakely, Maisie Davies, Lowri Williams, Robyn Davies, Catrin Stewart, Katie Bevans, Hanna Marshall, Savannah Picton-Powell.
