Wales bounced back from their 50-point drubbing in Ireland two weeks ago to comfortably defeat their see off their French counterparts 17-6 at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday.

Wing Shane Williams scored the solitary try of an often scrappy game but Wales displayed admirable character and resolve to put that crushing Cork setback behind them.

Fly-half Lee Jarvis kicked three penalties and a late-drop goal, punishing a French side devoid of creativity.

Wales fielded nine internationals, including Lions back-row forward Colin Jarvis, they were good value for the win in front of a poor crowd that barely touched 3,000.

Jarvis, currently out of favour in the senior Wales set-up, blotted his copy book by making a 49th-minute visit to the sin-bin following a technical infringement, but he was still at the heart of an impressive forward effort.

Fellow internationals Brett Simkinson and Gareth Llewellyn also contributed significantly as France found themselves pinned inside their own half for most of the second period.

The visitors took a second-minute lead when Beziers fly-half Jean-Frederic Dubois kicked a penalty, but after Jarvis struck a post with his opening goal attempt, Neath's prolific points scorer soon found his tried and trusted rhythm.

Three penalties during a 12-minute spell before half-time gave Wales breathing space, and France ended the opening period one man short when lock Jerome Thion was sin-binned by English referee Tony Spreadbury.

Dubois slotted another penalty early in the second-half, but Wales struck a decisive blow 19 minutes from time.

Strong-running centre Leigh Davies blasted through the French defence, and when possession was recycled, wing Gareth Wyatt displayed superb vision to execute a pin-point cross-kick that speedster Williams caught to out-pace would-be tacklers.

Williams, who has scored 10 tries in as many Tests for Wales, showed his trademark finishing qualities and then it was left to Jarvis to make the game safe by slotting a 25-metre drop goal.

Teams:

Wales A: James, G. Wyatt, Watkins, L. Davies, S. Williams, Jarvis, Moore, I. Thomas, M. Davies, Millward, V. Cooper, G. Llewellyn, Charvis, Sinkinson, Owen.

Not Used: G. Williams, Madden, W. Thomas, D. Jones, Burn, Warlow, Durston.

Tries: S. Williams.

Pens: Jarvis 3.

Drop Goals: Jarvis.

France A: Bonetti, Sid, Cistacq, Jauzion, Heymans, Dubois, Loustau, Martinez, Rue, Mas, Thion, Nallet, Martin, Froment, Chouchan.

Not Used: Lecouls, August, Spanghero, Bouilhou, Forest, Boyet, Sarramea.

Pens: Dubois 2.

Att: 3,000

Ref: Tony Spreadbury (England).