France vs Australia LIVE: Result and reaction after Wallabies thrashed in Paris
After England’s shock defeat to Fiji it’s the final match for France and Australia ahead of the Rugby World Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.France concluded their preparations for their home Rugby World Cup in fine fashion with a convincing 41-17 win over Australia.
At a buoyant Stade de France, the hosts showed off their attacking range to accelerate away in the second half.
The Wallabies impressed in the first half with their own varied play with ball in hand, but failed to make a series of opportunities inside the French 22 count and fell to a fifth successive defeat since Eddie Jones was installed as head coach.
And with Antoine Dupont, Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos expertly pulling the strings, France’s backs repeatedly cut a fatiguing visiting side to ribbons to sign off in style ahead of the tournament.
Fabien Galthie’s side open the World Cup with a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand in Paris on Friday 8 September.
Australia begin their tournament back at the Stade de France a day later, with the Wallabies taking on Georgia.
Follow live updates from France vs Australia below:
PENALTY! FRANCE 19-5 Australia (Thomas Ramos penalty, 54 minutes)
Thomas Ramos pops through the penalty.
YELLOW CARD! Suliasi Vunivalu is sent to the sin bin! France 16-5 Australia, 53 minutes
France win a penalty 35 metres out from their own line. Antoine Dupont is always alive to the possibilities and taps and goes, with Australia’s forwards all within ten metres and thus unable to grasp him before he’s accelerated out of sight. Matthieu Jalibert arrives in support and shows off his own speed.
Australia scramble back but Suliasi Vunivalu goes off his feet at a ruck. Luke Pearce goes to his pocket for what he deems a cynical offence - Vunivalu looks perplexed but had that ball come out, there were French overlaps on both sides.
France 16-5 Australia, 52 minutes
Pinched at the front! Cameron Woki is such a good defensive lineout jumper, the replacement lock up in front of Tom Hooper to pilfer Dave Porecki’s throw. Antoine Dupont hooks a superb clearance away off his weaker left boot.
France 16-5 Australia, 50 minutes
This is a good period from Australia. Tate McDermott is keeping the tempo high and the visiting forwards are asking complex questions with sharp handling at the line. Another penalty and another return to the French red area.
France 16-5 Australia, 48 minutes
A raft of forward changes from France, bringing on five of their six pack substitutes with only Paul Boudehent left unused. The cavalry do their job, both Taofifenua brothers right in the thick of things as the Wallabies fail to make ground around the fringes.
Carter Gordon cross-kicks, hoping to utilise Suliasi Vunivalu’s aerial strength. The ex-rugby leaguer rises superbly but Gordon’s kick was floaty and shallow, and France drive the wing towards the touchline.
France 16-5 Australia, 47 minutes
France play ambitiously from their own in-goal, first Gabin Villiere and then Damian Penaud just about managing to extricate themselves. Penaud’s offload is a proper hospital pass, though, Thomas Ramos taking the ball and a clattering from Taniela Tupou.
In pour Tupou’s teammates to capitalise on the tighthead’s crunching hit. Australia soon win a penalty and prod into the left corner.
France 16-5 Australia, 45 minutes
France quell Australia’s maul but the Wallabies play energetically, making metres on a leftward arc. Will Skelton carries three defenders with him, but the strength of his charge takes him away from his support, allowing Julien Marchand to feast on breakdown ball.
France 16-5 Australia, 44 minutes
Gael Fickou forces an offload, finding neither Thibaud Flament nor Thomas Ramos, who knocks on attempting to salvage the situation. Flament plays the ball in front of his full back - penalty to Australia.
Missed penalty! France 16-5 Australia, 43 minutes
Well well well. Thomas Ramos shakes his head as he misses, by his standard, a sitter. A flick of the outside of the post and away.
France 16-5 Australia, 42 minutes
The French forwards come firing out the blocks, with Antoine Dupont picking his runners. A wider pass lands in the hands of Gael Fickou, who is caught high by opposite number Lalakai Foketi.
Antoine Dupont points at the posts and Thomas Ramos will look to make it five from five from the tee.
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