France show class against Wales

Wales' final pre-World Cup challenge ended in a 34-7 defeat as tournament hosts France provided a further powerful example of their title credentials.

The French arrived in Cardiff on the back of successive victories over England and, despite making 11 changes and experimenting with three players out of position, proved too strong for the best in Wales.

France eased into a 17-0 lead with tries from lock Jerome Thion and scrum-half Pierre Mignoni before Wales had even managed to encroach on their 22.

Fly-half James Hook kept faint Welsh hopes alive with a confident score on the stroke of half-time - but a raft of substitutions at the interval only served to make France stronger.

And where Wales struggled for accuracy in their finishing, Les Bleus were razor sharp as Aurelien Rougerie's try 16 minutes into the second half sealed the win.

Sale hooker Sebastien Bruno, on has a half-time replacement, rounded off a thoroughly convincing afternoon for France with their fourth try in the final minute.