Oita (Japan) (AFP)
The XV of France, reduced to 14 following the exclusion of the second line Sebastien Vahaamahina early in the second period, was eliminated from the Rugby World Cup, beaten by Wales (20-19) Sunday at Oita.
Outnumbered, the French, who led (19-10 at half-time and 19-13) fell to the very end of the match on a test of third-line Welsh Moriarty in the 74th minute.
The XV de France will be absent from the semi-finals for the third time, after 1991 and 2015, in nine editions of the World Cup.
Authors of their best match since the start of the World Cup, the French have quickly taken the lead thanks to two tries Vahaamahina (5th) and Ollivon (8) to lead (12-0). Before a third try of Vakatawa, best man on the field, gave them a significant advantage at halftime (19-10).
But the red card Vahaamahina (49th), for a nudge in the face of an opponent, cost them the match. They have long resisted, until Moriarty's test.
© 2019 AFP