Wales edge France to book spot in Rugby World Cup semi-finals
Written by News on 20/10/2019
Wales are through to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup after narrowly beating France 20-19.
The Welsh will now face South Africa for a place in the final after the Springboks ended the dreams of the hosts Japan in the quarters in Tokyo 26-3.
Ross Moriarty scored the winning try, converted by Dan Biggar, as Wales narrowly took the lead in the 74th minute of the match in Oita.
The Six Nations champions managed to overhaul a nine-point deficit after French lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was shown a red card for foul play – elbowing Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright in the face – in the 49th minute.
Wainwright had earlier scored Wales’ first try. The boot of Biggar got the side’s other points.
France had threatened an upset after an impressive first-half display in which they scored three tries, including two in the first eight minutes, to lead 19-10 at the break.
Vahaamahina and flanker Charles Ollivon got the early tries for the French while centre Virimi Vakatawa crossed the line for number three.
The end result was a reversal of eight years ago when in the World Cup semi-finals an early red card for Wales captain Sam Warburton played a key role as France triumphed 9-8 in Auckland.
The other semi-final this year will be between England and New Zealand.
(c) Sky News 2019: Wales edge France to book spot in Rugby World Cup semi-finals
