George Gasson’s superb debut try gave Wales Under-20s a dramatic victory over 14-men France and moved them clear at the top of the Under-20s Six Nations standings.
In the battle of the two unbeaten teams at Parc Eirias the second-half red card to France winger Gabriel Ngandebe proved decisive and Wales are now three from three and in line for a Grand Slam.
Two Billy McBryde penalties had put Wales 6-0 to the good at the interval – the only other moment of note a first yellow to Ngandebe for a dangerous tackle.
But when the winger returned in the second half France hit the front after centre Alex Arrate’s try – converted by Anthony Belleau.
But Wales hopes of a first win over their French counterparts since 2013 were given a huge boost when Ngandebe tripped Keelan Giles and was given his marching orders for a second yellow.
McBryde kicked his third penalty to make it 9-7 to the hosts but Belleau responded with a penalty of his own and it looked like France might hold on to a narrow victory.
But Giles’ superb break down the left set up an end-to-end move that saw Gasson cross in the right corner for the score.
McBryde – given the chance to start for the first time at this level as reward for his heroics off the bench against the Scots – slotted two penalties before the half-hour mark to open an early lead.
France had made a few changes from the side that beat the Irish in their last outing. Atila Septar replacing Damian Penaud at outside centre, while Castres’ Antoine Dupont came in for Christophe Kaiser as scrum-half.
It was all change in the back row as Baptiste Pesenti came in at No.8 with Anthony Jelonch and Judicael Cancoriet switching to openside and blindside respectively. Mathieu Voisin dropped to the bench as France went in search of a third successive Under-20s Six Nations victory.
But Belleau’s missed penalty was as good as it got for them in the first half until they hit the jets after the break. Arrate profited from an overlap down the left to touch down and Belleau’s tricky conversion put Les Bleuets in front
The game swung on a controversial moment just before the hour mark when Ngandebe appeared to trip Giles, the second yellow card was unavoidable and the winger was clearly distraught.
Moments later McBryde’s third penalty put Wales back in front but Belleau responded in kind to restore France’s lead.
But then the game’s moment of magic arrived, Wales breaking out from under their own posts with Giles streaking clear. And when the ball came back right Gasson grabbed the try on his Under-20s Six Nations debut.
Man of the match McBryde drilled the conversion and was not made to rue a late missed penalty as Wales held on for a massive win.
