Williams breaks Welsh record (From Warrington Guardian)

Rhys Williams becomes Wales' all-time top try scorer during defeat to France

12:58pm Monday 18th June 2012 in Wolves news

WARRINGTON Wolves' Rhys Williams became Wales' all-time top international try scorer with a two-try haul during Wales' 28-16 defeat to the French at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium.

Williams surpassed his coach Iestyn Harris' total with his 13th try in 13 appearances, a prolific strike rate that will be key to Wales' chances when they co-host the World Cup in 2013.

But it did not help them to victory against an impressive French side, who took advantage of a Welsh pack that had been weakened by injuries to Gil Dudson, Ben Flower and Craig Kopczak.

Williams took his two tries well, the first coming at the sound of the half-time hooter when the Welsh capitalised on back-to-back penalties to send the 22-year-old in at the corner.

But by then the French had already crafted a 12-0 lead, tries from Cyril Stacul and Gregory Mounis ensuring the Welsh had an uphill battle ahead of them in the second half.

Williams' second came after Divorty and James did superbly to keep the ball alive down the left and the Castleford loanee slid over for his landmark try, but sadly it had little impact on the result.

Teammate David James had earlier added Wales' second try to keep them in the contest, but further French tries from Mathieu Griffi, two, and a second for Stacul meant that the French completed a comfortable win.

Wales: David James, Jack Pring, Michael Channing, Christian Roets, Rhys Williams, Danny Jones, Ollie Olds, Jordan James, Steve Parry, Jacob Emmitt, Andy Bracek, Rhodri Lloyd, Ross Divorty. Subs: Daniel Fleming, Iwan Brown, Joe Burke, Craig Moss.

France: Cyril Stacul; Jeremy Guiraud, Jean-Philippe Baile, Mathias Pala, Clement Soubeyras, Thomas Bosc, William Barthau, Mathieu Griffi, Kane Bentley, Mickael Simon, Olivier Elima, Antoni Maria, Gregory Mounis. Subs: Eloi Pelissier, Romaric Bemba, Andrew Bentley, Kevin Larroyer.