Warren Gatland admitted Wales were forced to draw upon their reserves of character to dig themselves out of trouble in a 20-19 World Cup quarter-final victory over France at Oita Stadium.

The Grand Slam champions trailed 12-0 at one stage and 19-10 at half-time but they capitalised on the 47th-minute dismissal of Sebastien Vahaamahina for an elbow on the head of Aaron Wainwright to spring their escape act.

Ross Moriarty scored the decisive try with six minutes remaining to leave France to lament Vahaamahina’s brazen act of thuggery.

“Of course it changed the game. When you’re playing half the match with 14 men it’s difficult.

“I want to stress the quality and courage of our team because we had to make up for this numerical disadvantage.

“There are other decisions I’m not totally sure of. I would like to see the last try again because they grabbed the ball and it went forward. I would like to see that image again and I’m disappointed about it.”