France 33-9 USA: Late flurry spares Les Bleus blushes as they secure bonus-point win in Pool C

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George Flood2 October 2019

A late three-try burst secured a World Cup bonus-point win for France after an error-strewn performance against the USA in Fukuoka.

Les Bleus led the Pool C contest by just three points with 15 minutes remaining, but pulled away thereafter thanks to efforts from Gael Fickou, Baptiste Serin and Jefferson Poirot.

Wings Yoann Huget and Alivereti Raka both touched down for France in the first half, but the team's consistent ill-discipline allowed USA fly-half AJ MacGinty to keep the scores close from the tee.

France coach Jacques Brunel made 12 changes to the team that began the tournament with a 23-21 win over Argentina and for an hour they looked a disjointed outfit.

Led for the first time by veteran number eight Louis Picamoles on his 81st appearance, the French made the best possible start when fly-half Camille Lopez chipped over the States defence for Huget to open the scoring.

Full-back Thomas Ramos added the conversion to make it 7-0, but Sale Sharks favourite MacGinty's penalty goal kept the minnows in touch.

Another precision kick from Lopez, this time lofted to the corner, enabled right winger Raka to score a well-executed try that extended France's lead to 12-3 but that only served to harden the resolve of the gutsy USA team, who rallied superbly following their 45-7 defeat by England.

Another MacGinty penalty as France continued to lose their discipline made it 12-6 at the break and Brunel's men missed a glorious chance nine minutes into the second half when Raka was denied a second try for a forward pass by centre Sofiane Guitoune.

The crowd sensed a major shock when MacGinty kicked a third penalty to cut the deficit to just three points but France could breathe more easily on 66 minutes when centre Fickou, one of just four players to keep their places from the opening game, sliced through for a much-needed try.

Lopez's conversion made it 19-9 and France cut loose in the last 10 minutes with two further tries from their replacements.

Scrum-half Baptiste Serin finished off a break by Raka and prop Jefferson Poirot forced his way over from a driving maul, with Lopez adding both conversions.

In the end it was mission accomplished but Brunel will be looking for an improvement when his side take on Tonga on Sunday before meeting Eddie Jones' men on Saturday week for a clash that could determine the group winners.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.