2009 EUROPEAN U16 CUP – GAME 2

A superb second half performance, which saw them post six tries, enabled FRANCE to run out 54-18 victors over WALES, who tired after their exertions two days before against England.

French full back Valentin Ferres opened the scoring in the fifth minute, sprinting on to Mantail Romano’s pass after some typically flamboyant Gallic interplay. Damian Cardace doubled the lead when he found a gap in the Welsh defence to speed away, hooker Joan Guasch converting.

Wales’ best for the second successive game, loose forward Rhodri Lloyd, scored the Principality’s first points in the competition, capitalising on a terrific break from hooker Efan Ellis and goaled his own effort. 

Nine minutes later, Lloyd smashed his way over again to level after the Welsh had gained good field position, his second goal giving them a 12-10 lead. A power play on the last tackle saw Romain Peault cross on the wing after another fine pass from Cardace and, right on half time, Pierre-Louis Bourrel went over from dummy half.

Cardace was the playmaker in chief again three minutes after the break, his tremendous run beating three defenders before his pass sent Peault over for his second touchdown, Joann Didone converting.

Thio Bonneriez took a clutch of defenders over with him from a tap penalty to break the Welsh resistance and, three minutes later, Thibaut Margalet found the whitewash from a Didone pass.

Bonneriez broke free for a second touchdown and Cardace did likewise after being set up by stand off Jaris Bissiere.

Just before the hour, Jamie Sollis hit back for the Welsh after good work by Ollie Olds, Lloyd converting but the French brought up the half century when centre Safrane Ghanem crossed for their tenth try.

Wales included winger Josh Ramsey in their side, the younger brother of Arsenal wonder-kid Aaron.

WALES U16
Scott Gibson, Josh Ramsey, Sean Webber, Rhys Watkins, Liam Harris, Oliver Olds, Jason Blackmore, Bradley Hill, Efan Ellis, Tom Owen, Huw Robinson, Michael Griffiths, Rhodri Lloyd. Subs: Jamie Sollis, Dale Evans, Andrew Waite, Jack Pring 

FRANCE U16
Valentin Ferret, Tony Maurel, Guillaume Guigue, Sofiane Ghanem, Romain Reault, Joris Bissiere, Yoann Didone, Nicolas Varas, Joan Guasch, Thibaud Margalet, Damien Cardace, Martial Romano, Pierre-Louis Bourrel. Subs: Theo Bonneriez, Benjamin Garcia, Charles Bouzinac, Paul Barbaza