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France triumph after early fright

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PARIS, France -- Reigning Six Nations champions France remain on target for the Grand Slam after overcoming an 11-point deficit to record a 32-21 win over Wales at the Stade de France here Saturday.

France were directed with aplomb by impressive outside-half David Skrela, who was instrumental in his side rebounding from two early tries by Wales' Alix Popham and Tom Shanklin.

Skrela landed five penalties and two conversions, and was key to France's patient waiting game that saw them score tries through Christophe Dominici and Lionel Nallet as Wales folded under a relenting attack that yielded 26 unanswered points.

France must now travel to Twickenham to play England on March 11 and then host Scotland a week later in their final two matches.

Wales, who scored a late try through replacement Jamie Robinson, will not be looking forward to the trip to Rome to play Italy, earlier 37-17 victors over Scotland, themselves winners over the Welsh. They finish up with a home game against England.

Despite the defeat, under-fire Wales coach Gareth Jenkins insisted his team have improved.

"I am satisfied that we have turned the corner," said Jenkins even though his side are rock-bottom of the table after three defeats.

"But we didn't have enough possession tonight and conceded too many penalties. We had 35 percent possession and that's not enough to make us competitive."

Welsh skipper Stephen Jones said French efficiency, rather than flair, had been the key.

"They maintained possession very well," said the fly-half.

"We led 14-3 and felt good about our game but the French played very well. They kept the ball away from us and made us work very hard."

Skrela refused to entertain talk of a Grand Slam with a trip to Twickenham next up in two weeks' time.

"Now we must try and beat England. The Grand Slam? It will be really difficult, but who knows?," he said.

Having remained tryless in their previous two games, Wales scored two within 15 minutes after a cracking opening that stretched the French.

France's first real chance came after eight minutes, Lee Byrne failing to hold a towering Skrela up-and-under, Pierre Mignoni clearing up and linking with Skrela who fed Vincent Clerc, but the winger was hauled down five meters from the line.

Skrela nailed a penalty from the following line-out but Wales came firing back.

After finally winning their own line-out ball, flanker Popham broke from a ruck and bulldozed through Dominici to cross in the corner.

Jones hit the conversion and France had no time to breathe before Wales were in for their second try.

The former Clermont player beat the French blitz defense with a delicate chip, James Hook showed good strength to gather and hold up full-back Clement Poitrenaud before off-loading to Shanklin, who steamed under the posts.

Jones converted for a 14-3 lead but that false dawn was almost immediately cut back by three points after Skrela landed his second penalty.

Full-blooded

Wales then defended for a full-blooded 10 minutes of French pressure that finally told when Dominici jinked through and, although smothered by the covering Byrne, crossed for a try converted by Skrela.

With the Welsh under the cosh, it was only a matter of time before France scored again.

Patiently playing through phase after phase littered by a handful of searing breaks, lock Nallet finally crashed over the Welsh line from a close-range ruck.

Skrela converted that try and then landed a third penalty shortly after Shane Williams infringed after being hammered by the impressive David Marty in midfield for a 23-14 half-time lead.

Skrela hit two more penalties early in the second period, his side dominating possession and territory as the Welsh struggled to get a foothold back in the game.

Hook temporarily took over Welsh kicking duties from Jones but missed with his one and only attempt.

France took their foot off the pedal and were made to pay in the 72nd minute when Robinson skipped through the defense on the French 22m line for a try Jones converted from in front of the posts.

Skrela's replacement, Lionel Beauxis, had the final say with a penalty at full-time.

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