France eventually saw off a brave Uruguay to continue their perfect start to the World Cup after grinding out a 27-12 win at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. The home fans, though, were then left in stunned silence early on when Nicolas Freitas picked up the loose ball to dart down the left and score in the corner.
France responded with a try through Antoine Hastoy and Melvyn Jaminet penalties. before Romain Taofifenua was sin-binned after catching Santiago Arata high with his shoulder going into a tackle. Uruguay, playing their first match in Pool A, had a try ruled out in the 35th minute when Felipe Etcheverry dived over, with Tomas Inciarte penalised for an obstruction in the build-up as France went into half-time 13-5 ahead.
France has two tries disallowed – Gabin Villiere and Sekou Macalou denied – either side of Baltazar Amaya powering over in the corner, but Peato Mauvaka and youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey eventually sealed a hard-fought win. Read back all the action from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with our dedicated Rugby World Cup blog below!
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I tell you what, Uruguay will have turned some heads tonight. Italy and Nambia will be concerned… and how about New Zealand? Surely not.
Full-time!
81min: That’s it! Uruguay should be very proud of themselves.
80min: Into added time and Uruguay are pushing.
78min: Uruguay haven’t given up just yet.
NO TRY!
76min: Macalou thinks he has added another try but it’s allowed for a knock on.
74min: Jaminet makes no mistake.
TRY!
73min: Bielle-Biarrey, aged just 20, runs through and scores! What a moment for the young star!
70min: France try to build something after overturning possession, but everything is just so rushed. Nervous.
Just twice they have hit double figures in terms of phases, according to ITV. That wasn’t expected.
67min: This has been such a strange game in the scrum. Uruguay drive to the line but drop the ball for another scrum… which they lose. The seventh penalty conceded in teh scrum, and it honestly feels like twice that.
64min: France give away a penalty in the scrum and Uruguay have their belief back.
