France vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Les Bleus snatch thrilling win from remarkable Test
France 30-26 South Africa: Les Bleus snatched victory as both teams had a man sent off in an incredible Test match
France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games as they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Velodrome after a nail-biting contest.
Les Bleus had scrum-half Antoine Dupont sent off in the second half after the world champions were also reduced to 14 men following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s early exclusion.
But a strong finish, with a late try by forward Sipili Falatea and a last-gasp penalty by Thomas Ramos, earned Fabien Galthie’s side another win a week after they edged out Australia 30-29 in Paris.
South Africa were always close thanks to penalties by Cheslin Kolbe, as well as tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, but France were just a cut above, less than a year before they host the World Cup.
Relive all the action from France vs South Africa with our live blog below:
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 52 minutes
That’ll draw a frustrated shake of the head from Andy Farrell. Ireland put the pressure on too soon at the scrum, giving away a free kick, and after Fiji boldly tap quickly, Ireland infringe.
YELLOW CARD! Api Ratuniyarawa is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 51 minutes
A third card of the day for Fiji - Api Ratuniyarawa hits the deck, precipitating the collapse of the latest Irish lineout drive. Fiji will play the next ten minutes with 13 men.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 50 minutes
Ireland win a jackal penalty in midfield, and it’s time for more changes: Cian Prendergast is on for his Ireland debut, replacing Kieran Treadwell; Tom O’Toole replaces Tadhg Furlong; Craig Casey swaps in for Jamison Gibson-Park.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 49 minutes
Though that’s another atypically sloppy error from Ireland with the chance to exert pressure - a man at the tail of the lineout is offside as he tries to disrupt Simione Kuruvoli’s pass.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 48 minutes
A solid enough exit from Fiji. Frank Lomani joins his starting half-back partner Teti Tela on the bench; Simione Kuruvoli and Ben Volavola are now together in the halves.
Fiji thread a clever diagonal grubber through on the left, with Setareki Tuicuvu shepherding into touch with Mack Hansen in close attention.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 47 minutes
But again an inaccuracy costs Ireland in good attacking position. The lineout isn’t straight and Fiji will have the scrum feed.
RED CARD! Albert Tuisue is sent off! Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 46 minutes
It’s red! Shoulder to head with no clear wrap, and no mitigation - off goes Albert Tuisue for the remainder.
Joey Carbery leaves to applause from the home crowd, with Munster starlet Jack Crowley on for his Ireland debut at fly-half.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 46 minutes
Back to the Aviva Stadium, and TMO Chris Hart will be needed - Joey Carbery stays down after a double hit, with Albert Tuisue’s shoulder looking uncomfortably close to the fly-half’s head.
Late England team news
Action from Twickenham follows events in Dublin, and England have been forced into a late change: Jack Nowell has been ruled out with an abdominal wall injury, with Joe Cokanasiga called in to the starting side. A blow for Nowell, who England hoped would be fully over the issue for kick off.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 44 minutes
Oh, Fiji! The first extravagant dance of the second half comes up the right touchline, Jiuta Wainiqolo at the heart of it after Frank Lomani’s initial sprint around the corner. Setareki Tuicuvu is in support, but the visitors rather run out of steam thereafter, and Ireland earn a scrum.
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