Wales first trip outside their homeland in the new era saw them come closer to defeat than they would have liked after seemingly being set for a comfortable away win. David Young and Paul Moriarty led the way for the Welsh forwards whilst Devereux and Ellis combined well to provide some open rugby league in the first half.

France took an early lead when they charged down Phil Ford's kick and scored, but five minutes later the talismanic Bateman was responding with a four pointer of his own. A flowing move was finished by John Devereux, then Ackerman scored Wales third to set up what should have been an easy ride for the Dragons.

Unfortunately they did take an easy ride and it was France who asked all the questions in the second half. Worse for Wales was a serious knee injury to Sullivan.