Frustrations boil over as minnows give secona-string hosts a real scare

FRANCE expected a cakewalk against Uruguay in Lille last night, but instead were caught up in a bun fight.

- Nick Purewal

France 27
Uruguay 12 

Les Bleus sent out an entirely new team from the first-choice side that brushed past New Zealand last Friday.

Boss Fabien Galthie wanted to make a statement of intent to force other teams to sit up and marvel at France’s strength in depth. Instead, any of their rivals watching would have seen those wholesale changes as part of the reason for such a niggly performance.

France’s players were desperate to put on a show against their world No17 opponents, but a string of errors and a staccato rhythm left France frustrated, even bickering in breaks of play.

Uruguay pushed the hosts all the way, even to within one point — 13-12 — at one time.

France’s designs on winning this World Cup did not include tight matches against minnows, but Pierre Bourgarit admitted Les Bleus had endured a tough night.