CANADA 23, WALES 32

WALES teenage fly-half star Dan Biggar kicked a match-winning 22 points against a spirited Canada side in Toronto.

Biggar was playing in only his second Test, and his first in the coveted No.10 jersey, but he raised plenty of eyebrows with a flawless display of goal-kicking and an impressive all-round game.

Caretaker coach Robin McBryde arrived in Canada minus 13 of his stars - all on Lions duty - and was forced to name one of the least experienced Wales sides in recent history.

And he will have been pleased to see his young team emerge from a rugged test at York University Stadium.

Wales came from 6-0 down after 14 minutes to lead 16-9 at half-time and then shipped an early second-half try before regaining their composure to run out winners.

Skipper Ryan Jones said: "That was really tough and ver physical but that's exactly what we were expecting from Canada.

"The breakdown and set-pieces were pretty contentious, but we're happy to win and the youngsters did themselves proud."

The Canucks took the lead in the ninth minute through James Pritchard's close penalty after Ryan Smith made an incisive break through Biggar's attempted tackle.

Then Pritchard held his nerve in the swirling wind to capitalise on Andrew Bishop's ill-discipline in the tackle and double his side's score.

But Wales fought back. Sean Duke was caught napping following Gareth Cooper's deep kick through and he slipped under pressure from centre Bishop.

Horror

Chris Czekaj pounced on the loose ball and beat Smith for the opening try to seal a sensational international return following a horror leg break in Australia two years ago.

Canada continued to ruffle Wales' feathers with their physical approach but saw former Cardiff Blues lock Luke Tait sin-binned by Australian official Matt Goddard for killing the ball.

Biggar edged Wales further ahead with the resulting penalty and added another in the 27th minute for a 13-6 lead.

Pritchard grabbed his third successful penalty to cut the deficit to four points. But Biggar restored the advantage after 33 minutes from the far touchline as the wind grew stronger, and Wales went into halftime with a deserved 16-9 lead.

Any thoughts of the visitors running away with the game vanished when Duke scorched down the right-hand touchline to level the scores soon after the break, but Wales were back in front when the impressive Tom James powered over from close range.

Biggar added two quick penalty goals, which were cancelled out when Canada scrum-half Ed Fairhurst went over, and Pritchard continued his kicking duel with Biggar by adding the extras.

But finally Biggar made it a nine-point margin with his eighth successful kick, and Wales finished the game on top.

Biggar certainly impressed Wales legend Neil Jenkins, an assistant coach on Wales North American tour.

"He can run, pass and kick, but he has also impressed everyone in the Wales set-up with his work ethic," said Jenkins. "Warren Gatland brought him into the squad last autumn for a debut against Canada - and it was an easy call to hand him a first start against the same opponents here.

"And whatever happens against the United States next week, he's a Wales No. 10 for the future."

SCORERS - Canada: tries Duke, Fairhurst; pens Pritchard 3; cons Pritchard 2. Wales: tries Czekaj, James; pens Biggar 6; cons Biggar 2.

• ROYAL XV 25, BRITISH LIONS 37
• ENGLAND 26, BARBARIANS 33

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