Keighley Cougars ace sees World Cup dream die in France

He was part of the Wales squad that faced France in Perpignan on Saturday, with both sides knowing whoever lost would be knocked out of the qualifying race.

And a strong France side came out comfortably on top in the pair’s game at the weekend, winning it 48-6.

That victory for the hosts means they will now play in the 2025 World Series alongside the Cook Islands, Jamaica and South Africa, with the winner and runner-up in that tournament taking the final two places left in the following year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Both France and Wales had won a European semi earlier in the week to reach Saturday’s final, the former hammering Ukraine and the latter seeing off Serbia.

Wales had won their game without long-serving head coach John Kear, formerly in charge at Bradford Bulls, after he had been hospitalised by illness.

Kear was released from hospital at the start of last week, but is recuperating at home, so his assistant Mark Moxon took charge of the games against Serbia and France.

On Saturday, with Walkley in the side at full back due to Joe Coope-Franklin and Rhys Williams being out on the wings, the Welsh almost took a shock lead.

But Huw Worthington mishandled under pressure as he dived for the line and France took advantage.

They scored four tries in the next 20 minutes, including one from Romain Franco, who spent the second half of this season on loan at Bulls from Wakefield.

Romain Franco (left) was among the scorers as France gave Wales a hiding in Perpignan. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

That left France 20-0 up, but Wales reduced the deficit through Williams’ try, which was converted by Matty Fozard.

France wasted a couple of good chances before the break and with Wales only 14 points behind at half-time, they still had a glimmer of hope of pulling off a shock win.

But the hosts scored three tries to put paid to that, as they moved 36-6 in front.

And while Franco was denied a second try due to a forward pass, two late converted scores ensured France romped to victory and into that all-important World Series.