Team UK wins Wheelchair Rugby silver following agonising defeat to France

Team UK's Wheelchair Rugby team have settled for silver after losing to France in the final of the Invictus Games in Vancouver.

The Wheelchair Rugby gold continues to elude Team UK at the Invictus Games having won bronze in 2016, but ever since then, it has been a silver medal story for the fifth Games running.

Team UK reached the final after wins over New Zealand and Italy in the pool stages, setting up a semi-final with long-time rivals, Australia.

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The British side emerged from the semi-finals victorious, seeing off their Aussie opposition by 28-9.

That set Team UK up for a pandemonium final against France in front of a packed Vancouver crowd.

The Duke of Sussex was in attendance in the stands, alongside All Blacks legend Richie McCaw as the pair watched on.

The UK started off well and looked like they were on their way to their first-ever Wheelchair Rugby gold medal.

But France piled on the pressure in the second half, which opened the door for mistakes by Team UK.

And those mistakes ended up being costly for Team UK as, at full-time, France emerged victorious with a 19-14 win over Team UK.

Team UK Wheelchair Rugby player Pete Lauder said that he "couldn’t be prouder" of the team despite the result.

He said: "I think we took them [France] all the way, but I think towards the end, tiredness, a few silly mistakes and a couple of sin bins kind of ruined it for us.

"We did try to come back but I think it was just too much then, but yes, it was an amazing game.

"We couldn't be more prouder of the guys and the girls of the team, we did an amazing effort."

Lauder also laid down Team UK's intent to "break the duck" following a continuous sequence of silver medals at the Invictus Games.

He added: "We've kept the legacy going, obviously we would've liked to have come away with gold, at some point we've got to break the duck.

"But, do you know what? Still coming away with a silver, it's an amazing achievement, considering some of us have never even played this sport 10  months ago, to get in the chair and get to where we are, it's absolutely superb!"

Elsewhere, the United States beat Australia 27-20 to win the bronze medal match.

For day seven of the Games, the sporting action will head to the pool for the swimming events.