Kristian Phillips grabbed a thrilling hat-trick as Wales Under 20’s stormed to a 43-8 Six Nations victory over France.
The Ospreys wing scored Wales’ opening try before adding a fine second-half brace to cap a memorable performance in a six-try romp at Cardiff Arms Park.
Fellow backs Scott Williams, Dan Fish and James Loxton also crossed with fly-half Matthew Jarvis scoring 13 points as Phil Davies’ men backed up the win over Scotland two weeks ago in emphatic style.
Davies had watched on as his side fell behind in only the second minute when France fly-half Jean-Marc Doussain booted home a penalty.
But the home side took the lead for the first time after Phillips produced a moment of brilliance.
Then the wing ace used neat footwork to shrug off the challenge of two defenders with ease and then touched down under the posts.
Wales outside-half Jarvis added the conversion to hand the home side a 7-3 lead.
But France responded and piled on the pressure on Wales’ try-line with a series of threatening scrums but could not turn their territorial dominance into points.
In contrast, the home side took advantage of their limited possession by doubling their try-count.
Phillips passed to Scarlets centre Williams on the left flank and he beat France scrum-half Jeremy Gondrand before turning on the accelerator to dive over in the left corner.
Jarvis failed to add the extras but Wales held a healthy 12-3 lead at the interval.
France then hit the self-destruct button in the second half when Toulon prop Gwendal Lamache was yellow carded for killing the ball. Jarvis increased the lead with the penalty before Phillips was back in the action.
His chip and chase looked set to be rewarded with a second score but he was tripped by a France defender. But the visitors paid a heavy penalty as full-back Dan Fish pounced on the loose ball for Wales’ third try.
The hosts were flying and capitalised on the numerical advantage through the pace of Phillips.
Gondrand’s wayward pass allowed the Neath flyer to cruise home in the right corner before opposite winger Loxton bagged a simple intercept try.
France scored a late consolation through France centre Romain Barhelemy but Phillips, a Wales squad member in the Six Nations, had the final say with his third try in the final move of the match.
Scorers: Wales: Tries – Phillips (3), Williams, Fish, Loxton; Cons: Jarvis (5); Pen: Jarvis
France: Try – Barhelemy; Pen: Doussain
