Gavin Henson kicked all 21 points

Wales Under-21s claimed their first Six Nations Grand Slam in a nail-biting game at the Stade des Costieres, Nimes.

Centre Gavin Henson was Wales' saviour, kicking seven penalties to record all 21 of the visitors' points.

French wing Julien Arias scored a try on the stroke of half-time to give the home side the advantage, fly-half Benoit Rieger adding the conversion and three further penalties.

But Henson - who took over the kicking duties for this game from fly-half Nicky Robinson - kept plugging away and Wales held on through an interminable eight minutes of injury time.

Match details: France Under-21 Try: J Arias Cons: B Rieger Pens: Rieger (3) Wales Under-21 Pens: G Henson (7)

The Under-21 side won the Grand Slam in 1999, but this is their first clean sweep since Italy joined the tournament in 2000.

A delighted Wales coach Chris Davey said: "It was a terrific game of rugby between two quality sides.

"Both sides tried to play with ball in hand and the second-half performance from the boys was tremendous.

"Character is a huge thing and they have gritted it out in a tough tournament."

All these boys should be playing regional rugby next year Wales coach Chris Davey

Davey felt the Grand Slam revealed that there are strengths in Welsh rugby, if the country can sort its structure out.

"The boys have been prepared to play and have confidence in their ability - they'll take anyone on.

"We've used 28 players in this tournament - that's strength in depth.

"All these players have the potential to step up, but we must get the structure in place. All these boys should be playing regional rugby next year."

France Under-21s: Etcheverria; Arias, Lison, Grandclaude, Donguy; Rieger, C Garcia; Lamboley, Soucaze, Nyanga, Marchois, Millochlusky, Bergos, Swarzewski, Forestier.
Reps: Rioux, Berhabe, Marechal, Bernard, Courrent, P Garcia, Sestaret.

Wales Under-21s: G Swales; W Kershaw-Naylor, J Vaughton, G Henson, M Nuthall; N Robinson, M Phillips; P James (capt), H Bennett, R Thomas, B Griffiths, J Thomas, M Lewis, J Malpas, R Pugh.
Reps: N Brew, J Lewis, R Richards, G Delve, J Goode, K Crawford, J Yapp.