France battles odds to reach RWC final

France battled to a place in the final of Rugby World Cup 2011 with a 9-8 win over a brave Welsh side, who never recovered from the first-half sending-off of their inspirational captain Sam Warburton.

The 23-year-old flanker was given his marching orders after 18 minutes for a dangerous tackle on wing Vincent Clerc.

Until then his team, playing their first semi-final for 24 years, were in command, despite the earlier loss through injury of veteran prop Adam Jones, and well worth their three-point lead.

But after their skipper’s departure they were unable to halt the march of the French, who slowly built an unassailable lead through the boot of Morgan Parra.

Although a try on the hour by scrum half Mike Phillips gave Wales hope, France, playing in their fifth successive semi-final, were able to withstand a spirited fight back.

France, captain, Thierry Dusautoir said that it was a tough win for them although Wales was playing with 14 players in most parts of the game.