Women: French revenge

After losing to Canada in Dijon on Wednesday, France turned it about and beat Canada 22-0 in Stade de France on Saturday in a curtainraiser to the Test between France and Samoa. It was the first women's international ever at Stade de France.

France who led 12-0 at half-time scored three tries.

The turnaround is not all that surprising as the whole of the French starting XV, bar right wing  Anais Lagougine, had been changed and only two of the Canadians started both matches - wing Maria Gallo and lock Paige Burdett.

France attacked from the start and were rewarded when Elodie Poublan slipped through a gap and scored under the posts. Aurelie Bailon, who had missed a penalty attempt, converted. 7-0 after just four minutes. Canada were up against it from then on as the French dominated possession and territory. Hooker Laetitia Salles scored next for France to take a 12-0 lead into the second half.

Canada got stuck in at the start of the second half but excessive enthusiasm at a tackle/ruck earned Tabitha Stavrou a yellow card. France weathered the storm and then Anaïs Lagougine slipped down the right wing to score. 19-0 with 15 minutes to play. The only other score in the half was a penalty goal by Aurelie Bailon to end the match.

Scorers:

For France:
Tries: Elodie Poublan, Laetitia Salles, Anaïs Lagougine
Cons: Aurelie Bailon 2
Pen: Aurelie Bailon

Teams:
 
France: 15 Elodie Poublan, 14  Anais Lagougine, 13 Sandrine Agricole, 12 Lucille Godiveau, 11 Caroline Ladagnous, 10 Aurelie Bailon, 9 Marie Alice Yahe, 8 Sandra Rabier (captain), 7 Hebel, 6 Lapebie, 5 Bouisset, 4 Hasna Rhamouni, 3 Céline Barthélémy, 2 Laetitia Salles, 1  Nadege Labbey
Replacements: 16 Clemence Ollivier, 17 Stephanie Loyer, 18 Manon André, 19 Sylvie Bernard, 20 Stephanie Provost, 21 Celine Héguy, 22 Fanny Horta
 
Canada: 15 Ashley Patzer, 14 Brittany Waters, 13 Mandy Marchak, 12 Sarah Ulmer, 11 Maria Gallo, 10 Brooke Hilditch, 9 Laura Stoughton, 8 Kelly Russell, 7 Gillian Florence, 6 Jen Kish, 5 Paige Burdett, 4 Megan Gibbs,  3 Marlene Donaldson, 2 Kim Donaldson, 1  Leslie Cripps (captain).
Replacements: 16 Tabitha Stavrou, 17 Corinne Jacobsen, 18 Heather Jacques, 19 Barbara Mervin , 20 Julia Sugawara, 21 Cheryl Phillips, 22 Julianne Zussman

Refereee: Stafano Pennè (Italy)