England continued their winning start to the Women’s Rugby World Cup when they sealed a 13-7 triumph against France in their Pool C fixture in Whangarei on Saturday.
As the scoreline suggests, this was a tightly contested encounter with the result in the balance until the game’s dying moments but England did well to hold on for their record-extending 27th consecutive victory.
In the end, both teams scored a try apiece with Emily Scarratt crossing the whitewash for the Red Roses and Gaelle Hermet scoring France’s five-pointer. Scarratt also added a conversion and two penalties for England, and France’s other points came courtesy of a two-pointer off the kicking tee from Caroline Drouin.
France were outpowered for much of an attritional contest, with Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer driving forces in the England pack.
But France refused to yield and Hermet’s converted try set up a grandstand finish that England were relieved to emerge from with a second success in the competition.
England had routed Fiji 84-19 in their World Cup opener, but France presented a far more formidable test ahead of the Red Roses’ final group game against South Africa.
Captain Sarah Hunter made her 137th appearance to become the joint most-capped England player.
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France, who had beaten South Africa 40-5 in their World Cup opener, had to soak up early pressure and were severely hampered by losing two influential players.
Star scrum-half Laure Sansus departed in the 12th minute after suffering a potentially serious leg injury. Number eight Romane Menager was knocked out after a tackle five minutes later and also left the field on a cart.
England’s domination told after 24 minutes with France pinned close to their line. After several phases Zoe Harrison slipped an inside pass to Scarratt, who showed her power to crash over.
Scarratt added the extras and a penalty at the end of a first half which saw France make 127 tackles compared to England’s 35. The pattern of the game remained the same after the break and Scarratt uncharacteristically spilled the ball with the try-line calling.
Hooker Amy Cokayne got over the line, but not for the first time a French body had burrowed underneath to prevent the score. Scarratt extended England’s lead with a straightforward penalty before France landed a sucker punch after 64 minutes.
Drouin’s chip found Joanna Grisez in space and the wing made ground before allowing the replacement Hermet to crash over. Drouin’s conversion made it a one-score game and England were left rattled in the closing stages as France seized possession and moved the ball wide.
But England held firm to claim their 11th successive victory over France and maintain their winning run.
USA dig deep to see off plucky Japan
Earlier, the USA bounced back from a defeat to Italy in their tournament opener to claim a hard-fought 30-17 bonus-point win over Japan.
The Asian outfit were competitive throughout and actually had the better of the early exchanges. They held a 5-3 lead at half-time after Megumi Abe crossed for a try with the USA’s only points of the half coming courtesy of a penalty from Gabriella Cantorna.
The Americans upped the ante on attack after the interval and were rewarded shortly after the restart when Joanna Kitlinski crossed for a well-taken try although Cantorna was off target with the conversion attempt.
Despite that score, Japan did not panic and they regained the lead when Hinano Nagura crossed for their second try. The Americans finished stronger, however, and five-pointers from Alev Kelter, Elizabeth Cairns and Jennine Detiveaux secured their bonus point.
Japan did not surrender and were rewarded with a consolation try from Komachi Imakugi before Kelter sealed the USA’s win with a late penalty.
Australia late show floors Scotland
In the first World Cup clash of the day, Scotland lost their second successive game in Pool A after going down 14-12 to Australia.
The Scots had finished the first half on top with a 12-0 lead as seventh-ranked Australia struggled against a potent attack, failing to move the scoreboard.
Lana Skeldon had scored for the Scots but Helen Nelson failed with the conversion, whilst the team were also awarded a penalty try in the first half.
But Australia bounced back in the second half, with tries from Bienne Terita and Ashley Marsters, both converted by Lori Cramer.
Scotland are left on only two points heading into their game against New Zealand on October 22.