Harinordoquy try ensures France lead at break

Wales 12-13 France

Flanker Imanol Harinordoquy struck just before the interval to help give France a 13-12 lead in an error-strewn RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff today.

The Pau powerhouse silenced the Millennium Stadium crowd after Wales built up a six point lead thanks to four penalties from Stephen Jones.

Wales, as they did in their Dublin drubbing two weeks ago, found themselves trailing early on after failing to clear their lines straight from the kick-off.

But this time they were fortunate it was only a penalty after France missed the chance of a fourth-minute try.

Full-back Nicolas Brusque breached the Welsh defence and found right wing Vincent Clerc who had popped up on the left but with the try line begging full-back Gareth Thomas managed to bundle him into touch.

The visitors though were rewarded for their early pressure when scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde landed a penalty after Wales were caught offside.

Centre Damien Traille attempted to double the advantage minutes later with a penalty five metres inside his own half but his kick went well wide of the posts.

France then thought they were on for a breakaway try when Stephen Jones saw his long pass intercepted but referee Stuart Dickinson called play back for a penalty which Jones successfully converted right on the halfway line.

However Wales were committing far too many errors and after temporarily losing skipper Colin Charvis it was no surprise when Elissalde kicked his second penalty after 15 minutes.

But Wales again quickly levelled through the boot of Jones. The outside half then gave his side the lead with another penalty following their most sustained period of pressure in the match.

It was the French, who knew victory would give them the outright lead in the championship, who were now committing the errors and Jones punished them with his fourth successful kick.

The Llanelli man’s penalty took him to second in the all time Welsh points list with 305 points – one ahead of Paul Thorburn.

But Jones still had some way to go to overcome outside half Neil Jenkins who holds the record with his mammoth total of 1049 points.

France had to respond and they did so but found the Welsh defence in resolute mood and determined to atone for the six tries they conceded in the miserable display against Ireland.

But on the stroke of half-time the defence was finally pierced. Outside half Frederic Michalak made the initial break before finding Clerc who sent flanker Imanol Harinordoquy over in the corner.

Elissalde converted was the last kick of the half to give France a narrow one point advantage at the break.