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Rugby Globe Loving cup: French republic v England
France: (0) 7
Try: Hermet; Con: Drouin
England: (ten) 13
Endeavor: Scarratt; Pens: Scarratt 2; Con: Scarratt

England continued their successful offset to the World Cup with a tight victory against a determined France.

After France lost star players Laure Sansus and Romane Menager to injury, England'due south Emily Scarratt scored the opening try in Whangarei, New Zealand.

Scarratt added a penalty either side of half-time before France acquired a scare as Gaelle Hermet crossed.

Tournament favourites England held on for a statement thirteen-7 win that will likely mean they qualify for the quarter-finals every bit Pool C winners.

Helm Sarah Hunter became England'due south joint about-capped player as she fabricated her 137th international appearance.

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England, who thrashed Fiji 84-19 in their opening game last week, extended their record winning run to 27 Tests and take not lost since July 2019.

The close scoreline in this game is a reality bank check for England fans, showing boyfriend professional sides France and New Zealand will provide sterner opposition in the latter stages of the tournament.

Just the Carmine Roses proved they tin can withstand the pressure of a tight contest against title contenders France.

England break down steely French republic defense force

The match was expected to be one of the most tightly contested and highest quality encounters of the World Cup, and it did not disappoint as England'south clinical endeavour came upwardly against a stellar France defence.

The level of competition offered by France in the offset half was evident in the statistics. England had 69% territory and 73% possession, just only came abroad with x points equally France made an exhausting 127 tackles.

England head coach Simon Middleton said he had found weaknesses to target since Thomas Darracq was brought in to lead France in May, and England looked adamant to litter France'south backfield with kicks.

Wing-half Zoe Harrison put in a composed operation as she repeatedly tested France with her kick, oft leading to dropped balls.

Other than that, it was a brilliant starting time from France but the wind was taken from their sails as two of their key players were forced from the field.

Scrum-half Sansus left with a leg injury then number eight Menager appeared to be knocked unconscious in a ruck.

Pool C Standing

Sansus was replaced by her partner Pauline Bourdon, while regular captain Hermet came on for Menager.

France connected to frustrate England's forwards with their defence within their 22 and lock Abbie Ward was held upwardly over the tryline.

Eventually, England went to their backs and a slick motility between Harrison and Scarratt sent the centre over afterwards 24 minutes.

French republic were penalised at the breakdown in forepart of the posts and Scarratt opted to take three points and give England a 10-0 lead at half-time.

Hermet try sets up frantic terminate

England looked buoyant after the interruption and seemed to have unlocked French republic's scrum.

Claudia MacDonald picked up a chip from Harrison, before Scarratt spilled the ball forward in a rare error that left Middleton with his head in his hands.

However, England gathered momentum off the scrum again and Sarah Bern went over the tryline, just she landed without the ball every bit France centre Maelle Filopon stripped it from her grasp.

Despite their frontwards dominance, England decided not to make use of the line-out bulldoze on which they have relied so often in the past yr.

Instead, Marlie Packer peeled off the side of a maul and sent the ball to Amy Cokayne, who was held up as she crossed.

With tries not forthcoming, Scarratt took another three points from in front of the posts and it looked as if England had sealed victory.

From nowhere, France regained momentum. A stunning cross-field kick from Caroline Drouin was grabbed by Joanna Grisez, who sent Hermet over.

Despite an 11th victory in a row against French republic, the frantic stop showed England are fallible at this World Cup.

They face South Africa in their last pool game on 23 October, while France meet Fiji on 22 October.

Player of the match

Alex Matthews (left) — Flanker Alex Matthews' carrying was the departure in a close competition.

Line-ups

France: Jacquet; Grisez, Filopon, Vernier, Boulard; Drouin, Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Joyeux, Ferer (capt), Autumn, Escudero, Mayans, R Menager.

Replacements: Touye, Lindelauf, Khalfaoui, Northward'Diaye, Hermet, Bourdon, Queyroi, Thousand Menager.

England: Kildunne; Thompson, Scarratt, Rowland, MacDonald; Harrison, Infante; Cornborough, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, M Packer, Hunter (capt).

Replacements: Powell, Botterman, Muir, O'Donnell, Cleall, L Packer, Aitchison, Dow.

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