Wales go down to France after controversial red card

FT: Wales 8 France 9

Wales suffered Rugby World Cup heartbreak after captain Sam Warburton was sent off in a controversial and dramatic semi-final showdown with France.

Warren Gatland’s men played for over an hour with 14 men after Warburton was dismissed for a dangerous tackle and they came agonisingly close to victory.

Mike Phillips’ try brought them back from 9-3 down to within a point before Leigh Halfpenny’s halfway-line penalty slid just under the crossbar.

Wales threw everything they had at France but they could not create the opportunity for Stephen Jones to take a attempt a late drop goal.

France were poor but Morgan Parra landed all three of his penalty attempts while James Hook missed two and Jones failed with his conversion attempt.

Wales were in control. Jones sent France back into the own 22 and Medard delayed the clearance, taking a risk by side-stepping a flying challenge from Jonathan Davies before kicking.

Jones was on the field for his game control and he sent a beautiful kick dribbling into touch, which kept France pinned back deep in their own territory.

Roberts crashed the ball up again, Faletau drove it forward but the ball was dropped as Jones waited for the drop goal attempt.

Strangely, the Scarlets fly-half then turned down an opportunity for a shot at goal and stood flat, hit it up and he knocked it on in the tackle.

Still Wales had chances. Nicolas Mas was penalised on halfway for hitting a ruck from the side but Halfpenny’s long-range strike slid agonisingly under the posts.

Wales had one last chance. They attacked for over 25 phases in a bid to create platform for Jones to try a drop goal but the French defence held firm on their own 10 metre line and a knock-on brought the final whistle.