The Welsh Rugby Union has protested to the International Rugby Board over a points deduction imposed on two future Wales Under-20 teams.

Wales and France will start the next two IRB Junior World Championships on minus-three points after a mass brawl during this year's tournament.

WRU chief David Pickering said: "There is one judgement we find perplexing and are not particularly happy with.

"That is the punishment going forward to future age-grade teams."

The points deduction will affect future Under-20 sides which will not include the same players as this year WRU chairman David Pickering

Wales and France were each fined �50,000 - but suspended for two years - in an unprecedented IRB punishment for events that marred Wales' last-gasp Pool D win over France at Liberty Stadium on 14 June.

WRU chairman Pickering indicated that the union has no issues with the suspended fine as he said: "Nobody condones violence, least of all myself and the Welsh Rugby Union and we fully accept certain aspects of the disciplinary judgement."

But the WRU is considering an appeal to the IRB against the points deduction future Welsh junior teams will suffer.

"This will affect next season's Under-20s and the players involved the year after that - and won't include the same players as we've seen this year," said Pickering.

"It's on that point that we are seeking clarification and that's what we intend to do."

Former Wales international Pickering, however, believes Wales' young stars can feel satisfied with their fourth-place finish at this year's junior showpiece.

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The hosts were beaten by South Africa's 'Baby Boks' in the third and fourth place play-off in Swansea but Pickering highlighted some promising prospects who could break into Warren Gatland's full Wales squad.

"In terms of our standing in the world, last year at Under-19 level and this year at Under-20 we've finished in the world top four and that's very promising," said Pickering.

"But what's also very promising is the number of people coming through, some of whom have started playing regional rugby - people like Dan Biggar, Sam Warburton, Darren Evans, Gareth Owen and Jonathan Davies.

"These are all people playing some form of regional rugby and it's very encouraging that they are making a stand on the world stage.

"There is still some way to go, but some of the systems and structures we have put in place - such as the academy set-up we put in place four years ago - are paying dividends."