The World Rugby U20 Championship continues in South Africa on Tuesday when Wales face a make-or-break clash against favourites France. Mark Jones’ side beat Japan 41-19 in their second game, but they will need a big improvement to live with the French, according to Welsh rugby coach, analyst, and consultant, Tomas Marks.
Wales finished the Japan game with a resounding victory to set up a grandstand finale against top seeds France on Tuesday.
The rays of sunshine in the first half against the Japanese were hooker Lewis Lloyd and scrum half Archie Hughes.
Hooker Lloyd was prominent in the loose with three carries, one powerful try after a driving line-out and three tackles.
Hughes at scrum-half scored a try and kicked intelligently with seven positive outcomes from his contestable box kicks which gave them a chance to regain possession and territory.
Credit must be given to the Japanese as they defended smartly, targeting just below the ball in the collision, causing the main ball carriers for Wales to spill the ball in attack on eight occasions.
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Head coach Mark Jones and his coaching team would have been alarmed at their discipline as they conceded seven penalties and three from defensive scrums.
The 47th minute of the second half was a turning point in the match as the Japanese captain and centre Yoshiki Omachi got yellow carded and then red carded for a reckless and foolish clean-out of Evan Hill in a dead ruck scenario.
This selfish act by the captain allowed Wales to play against 14 men for 33 minutes.
It was the moment the Welsh pack awoke and it ignited captain Ryan Woodman to make a couple of dominant tackles and carries to get them back on top in the game.
The stand-out performers for Wales in this match were Archie Hughes, Morgan Morse, Bryn Bradley and super sub Tom Florence.
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Hughes’ kicking game was a point of difference in this match as it allowed Wales to regain possession or territory on 14 occasions.
Despite being below par in the first half with four knock ons, Morse still produced top numbers with 14 carries and two try assists.
Bradley is the glue of the team in attack and defence and gave two scoring passes to half backs Hughes and Edwards as well as six carries and a well executed cross field kick opportunity for winger Harri Houston.
Many have written about his physical prowess, but he is a genuine multi-threat at 12, which is very exciting given our lack of creative centres in Wales.
Florence took his opportunity from the bench and his 40 minute cameo included a try, three carries, one jackal turnover and a box kick chase catch.
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His performance hasn’t gone unnoticed as he has earned himself a starting spot against the Les Blues.
The French are the top seeds and favourites for this U20s tournament and Wales will need to be at their very best to challenge this outfit.
They will need to be more accurate in the scrums as they conceded five scrum penalties against the Japanese and their lineout was at 82% compared to an impressive 100% against the Baby Blacks.
They should be heartened, though, as they have managed to score ten tries, gained three bonus points and have it all to play for in the final pool match.
It will be a fascinating contest and with the likes of Lewis Lloyd and Joe Westwood on the bench they have some fire power to enter the arena in the closing stages.