Wales U20s beat the lurgy to earn shot at World Championships semi-finals

WALES got off their sick beds to stay in control of their World Rugby U20 Championship destiny.

The Welsh youngsters will have a shot at qualifying for the semi-finals when they take on defending champions France in their final group game in Cape Town on Tuesday (kick-off 3.30pm).

That is after they followed up claiming a pair of bonus points in their opener against New Zealand by bagging a maximum haul against spirited Spain.

Wales had to dig deep against physical opponents but got the job done to sit second behind the Baby Blacks, who scored a last-gasp penalty to edge out the French.

The 31-10 victory was all the more impressive given their preparation.

“It’s been a tough week, we’ve had a lurgy in the camp all week so we didn’t train much and thought the boys showed really good composure,” said head coach Richard Whiffin.

“It was always going to be a scrappy game and the boys were running on fumes energy-wise so it was job done ultimately, now we move on to France.

“Spain were certainly up for the battle and we have some bruised and battered bodies in the changing room, they were a credit to their nation and they gave a good game.

“We now move on to Tuesday where we take on France in what will be a big opportunity for us to get through the pool.”

New Zealand will top the pool unless there is a monumental upset against Spain (kick-off 6pm).

However, one of the three group runners-up will also head into the semi-finals and Wales would be guaranteed to achieve that if they stun France and earn a four-try bonus.

If they beat the French without a bonus then only Australia, who take on pool leaders Ireland, could overhaul them and that fixture takes place before Wales get under way.

Whiffin’s side are still at risk of dropping into the ninth to 12th place play-offs, which carry the threat of relegation to the World Rugby U20 Trophy.

The third-placed nation with the lowest tally will join the trio of sides at the bottom, and defeat to France would leave them vulnerable.

Italy (four points) and Argentina (five) would need to avoid upsets against Georgia, who were agonisingly close to stunning the Irish, and Fiji.

Wales will be safe if the Aussies lose to Ireland without a bonus or hosts South Africa fail to beat England (6pm).