Portugal make it hard for Wales

WALES may have won this second round Pool D encounter on the Cote D’Azur, and secured another four-try bonus point in the process, but it was Portugal who posted the best news of all. 

- NICK CAIN

It came in the guise of another timely reminder that rugby union in the Tier 2 is alive and kicking, and full of talent.

The final scoreline masked the ferocity and skill that the Portuguese brought throughout the 80 minutes of this entertaining match, and although two second-half Welsh tries by the impressive Jac Morgan and a last-minute effort from Taulupe Faletau made it appear comfortable, it was anything but.

A Wales side showing 13 changes from the side that beat Fiji had the most possession – 58% to 42% – but it was Portugal who gave them a tutorial in invention and verve, showing a desire to attack at every turn.

Their thousands of fans also brought colour and vitality to Nice’s new showpiece stadium, making a barrage of noise even when the chips were down.

The biggest roar was reserved just after the hour for the try scored by Nicolas Martins, when their openside flanker speared onto a pinpoint five metre lineout deflection into the tramline from No.8 Rafael Simoes. It was a perfectly rehearsed set-piece move, and finished with a richly deserved touchdown. It made it 21-8 with Samuel Marquez unable to convert, because Wales had already scored their third try for a 21-3 lead when Morgan – a last-minute replacement for Tommy Reffell – barrelled over from a pick-and-drive after the Welsh had used their superior scrum as a siege machine.