Bonventre inspires visitors to a devastating level of performance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ROBERT COLE
Wales A 13 France A 34
France overwhelmed Wales with a marvellous performance in the A international at Rodney Parade yesterday. The visitors turned on the style to run in four tries and dominated the game from first to last, racing 10 points clear after just six minutes.
Wales were outplayed in every aspect and were left thankful that they had a sympathetic referee in Alan Lewis.
The French were slicker and more polished in everything they did, winning the cleaner possession and mauling with devastating effect. In second row Laurent Bonventre - a dead ringer for Oliver Merle - they had the man of the match, and he was superbly supported by the flanker Christophe Moni and Laurent Mazas at outside-half.
First-half tries from Yann Delaigue, Thierry Labrousse and Stephane Venditti as good as ended it is a contest with David Berty adding another with the last move of the match.
Wales managed just a penalty try, awarded for the French persistently not retreating at a tapped penalty, and a conversion and two penalty goals from Shaun Connor.
Wales A: Try Penalty try; Conversion Connor; Penalties Connor 2. France A: Tries Delaigue, Labrousse, Venditti, Berty; Conversions Mazas 4; Penalties Mazas 2.
WALES A: R Jones (Neath); S Hill (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), J Funnell (Neath), G Evans (Llanelli); S Connor (Abertillery), P John (Pontypridd, capt); A Lewis (Cardiff), B Williams (Neath), S John (Llanelli), M Voyle (Newport), P Arnold (Swansea), A Gibbs (Newbridge), M Workman (Newport), V Davies (Cardiff).
FRANCE A: S Venditti; M Marfaing, C Paille, Y Delaigue, D Berty; L Mazas, P Carbonneau; C Soulette, O Azam, J-L Jordana, H Miorin, L Bonventre, C Moni, T Labrousse, L Loppy.
Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments