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Rugby Union

France outclass Wales

26/08/2007

Wales were comprehensively beaten 34-7 by France at the Millennium Stadium today.

The French team completed their final World Cup warm-up victory with tries from Jerome Thion, Pierre Mignoni, Aurelien Rougerie and Sebastian Bruno.

With France preparing to host the World Cup next month, the hosts started brightly and dominated the early period.

After a Lionel Beauxis penalty gave the visitors an early lead, Thion crashed over the Welsh try-line by 14 minutes, following a darting run by winger Rougerie.

Although the hosts responded by applying sustained pressure to the French defensive line, Wales could not find a way through.

France soon counterattacked and shortly after a decision from the video referee rejected their appeals for a second try, scrumhalf Mignoni nipped in to score.

However, just before the interval, the Welsh pierced the stubborn French defence with fly half James Hook scoring following work by Mark Jones and Martyn Williams.

Nevertheless, the French began to dominate after a further Beauxis penalty gave the visitors a 20-7 lead early in the second half.

A poor Welsh lineout resulted in the French fly half feeding through Rougerie who duly obliged the opportunity to score under the posts before Bruno completed a fourth try for the visitors from close range in the final minutes.

An injury to Gareth Thomas in the closing stages capped a disappointing afternoon for the hosts.

Meanwhile, France are likely to be considered as one of the favourites in the approaching World Cup, after securing two victories over the previous winners, England, earlier this month.