FRANCE 42-12 WALES

WALES produced a gutsy performance in Brive but were ultimately overpowered by a slick French outfit, who remain unbeaten in the Women’s Six Nations and on course for a Grand Slam decider against England.

The home side ran in six tries, including a brace for returning wing Emilie Boulard, while Wales crossed twice through Kate Williams and Gwen Crabb.

Despite trailing just 21-12 at the break, Wales couldn’t contain the French pack in the second half, with further scores from Manae Feleu, Lea Champon and a penalty try widening the gap.

It was another step forward under new head coach Sean Lynn, whose side showed fight and flair in patches—but Wales’ long wait for a win in France goes on.

Determined start from Wales

After a gruelling 13-hour journey, Wales showed no early signs of fatigue. In front of a vocal crowd of 13,000, they started brightly but were undone early on when Carla Arbez’s kick found Boulard in acres of space for the opening try.

Wales responded quickly, earning territory from a high tackle on Jenni Scoble. After sustained pressure near the French line, Williams crashed over—her second try in as many matches.

France answered with a second for Boulard, before Crabb forced her way over from close range to keep the visitors in touch.

However, with the clock in the red, Manon Bigot burst through from a set piece to extend the hosts’ lead to 21-12.

French forwards take control

The second half proved tougher for Wales. Feleu’s score shortly after the restart secured France the bonus point and began a dominant 40 minutes for the home team.

Wales did threaten—Carys Cox stormed down the wing and Courtney Keight found a gap—but an obstruction at the line-out denied them a vital score.

Fly-half Kayleigh Powell was temporarily withdrawn for a head injury assessment, forcing Bevan to shift to 10 and Sian Jones to cover at scrum-half. Powell later returned, a relief given Lleucu George’s absence through injury.

A string of dominant French scrums saw Wales concede a penalty try, with replacement Maisie Davies sent to the sin bin moments after entering play.

Champon added France’s final try, and fly-half Morgane Bourgeois maintained a perfect record from the tee, converting five from five.

Post-match reaction

Wales head coach Sean Lynn praised his team’s effort:

“The girls felt really confident at half-time. It’s a big ask coming here to this crowd and this stadium, but we showed we can compete with the best.
We’ve got to learn to wrest back control when it slips, but I asked them to be brave, and they were.”

France co-captain Manae Feleu said her side was building momentum: “We kept going in the second half, found our rhythm and were happy with how we finished. We’re focused on Italy next before thinking about England.”

France move to the top of the Six Nations table, while Wales will look to take positives into their final fixtures.

Tries
France: Boulard (2), Bigot, Feleu, Champon, Penalty Try
Wales: Williams, Crabb
Conversions
France: Bourgeois (5)
Wales: Bevan (1)

Teams
France: Bourgeois; Arbey, Ménager (c), Amedee, Boulard; Arbez, Bourdon-Sansus; Brosseau, Bigot, Bernadou, Feleu (c), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Okemba, T. Feleu.
Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Khalfaoui, Zago, Berthoumieu, Champon, Bordes, Queyroi.

Wales: Joyce; Neumann, H. Jones (c), Keight, Cox; Powell, Bevan; G. Pyrs, C. Phillips, Scoble, Fleming, Crabb, Williams, Lewis, Evans.
Replacements: K. Jones, Davies, Rose, John, A. Pyrs, King, S. Jones, Metcalfe.

Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)
Attendance: Approx. 13,000

THE 2025 lawn bowls season for Llandeilo Bowling Club (LBC) has now commenced with the formal opening of the green on Saturday April 12.

With the weather remaining onside there was a big turnout for the opening with Llandeilo Town Council’s Mayor, Charlotte Morgan, bowling the first wood of the season with remarkable accuracy. Apologies had been received from Cllr Edward Thomas who was unable to be present due to ill health.

Before games commenced the traditional “spider” competition took place with everyone bowling simultaneously to the jack in the centre of the green. The fun competition was won for the second year in succession by Pat James.

The green was in excellent condition after the winter due to the hard work of volunteers and members bowled on all rinks for a couple of hours all trying to get their hand in before the season’s league competitions commence. Everyone then retreated to the club house for a sumptuous tea prepared by members with a raffle thereafter.

LBC President, Gareth James, congratulated the club’s short mat teams – Tywi (division 1) and Teilo (division 2) both of which had done extremely well in their divisions considering they were relatively new teams to the short mat league but both had proved forces to be reckoned with. It was hoped that now that the 2025 lawn bowls season had started LBC would again meet with success.

Deborah Mathews, Jamie Davies, and Doug Davies, captains of the ladies, mens and veterans teams respectively were wished well for the impending season.

The Mayor, Charlotte Morgan, who remained in the company of members for the afternoon, said that she had followed with interest LBC’S successes and it was hoped this would continue for the coming season. It was encouraging to see the club thriving and in regular use with a cross section of age groups enjoying the facilities.

LBC will be holding an open day on Sunday 27th April from 2pm onwards. No previous experience is necessary. Bowls and free coaching will be provided. All you need is flat footwear. LBC looks forward to welcoming you.

Keira, 15, honoured with RYA Cymru Wales Impact Award

A TEENAGE sailing instructor from Pembrokeshire has been recognised for her dedication to the sport with a prestigious Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Cymru Wales Impact Award.

Keira Edwards, 15, volunteers as an assistant instructor at Neyland Yacht Club, where she supports junior sailors and helps introduce others to the sport.

The RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to help more people enjoy time on the water. Keira’s commitment and passion for sailing have made her a standout recipient.

Keira began sailing at the age of eight after taking part in a taster session. Since then, she has earned multiple qualifications, including RYA Levels 1 to 4 through the Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, as well as certificates in Powerboating, First Aid, and Assistant Instruction.

Despite living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Keira sails all year round. She recently competed in Neyland Yacht Club’s Frostbite Series in the double-handed 29er class and went on to win Pembrokeshire Yacht Club’s 2024 series in the single-handed ILCA 6 class — the youngest sailor in her fleet.

Keira said: “I really enjoy teaching sailing because it’s fun and rewarding to see the children at the club learning new skills. I want to help more people get on the water because I enjoy sailing and I want others to enjoy it too.”

Commodore Lloyd Hamilton MBE said: “Keira has been actively volunteering at Neyland Yacht Club and has taken on the role of assistant instructor. She teaches both children and adults, sharing the skills she has learned over the years.

“Keira is a highly talented and dedicated young individual, always the first to offer her help to anyone in the club. Volunteers like her are crucial in helping more people experience the joy of sailing.”

Club development officer Hester Walker, who first introduced Keira to sailing, added: “We are so proud of Keira. She joined us aged eight with no experience, taking part in a taster session through our All Afloat programme, which gives young people in Wales the chance to try boating.

“Since then, she has gone from strength to strength. She’s passionate about the sport and is a relatable role model who inspires the next generation.”

Keira is a pupil at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi in St David’s — the former school of her own role model, Welsh sailor and Paris 2024 Olympian Mickey Beckett. She hopes to become a fully qualified RYA dinghy instructor when she turns sixteen this summer.

Dedicated and determined: Keira was presented with the RYA Cymru Wales Impact Award for her voluntary work at Neyland Yacht Club (Pic: Hester Walker)