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.
Denne historien er fra September 15, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra September 15, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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