RECAP: France v Tonga

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between France and Tonga in Kumamoto City.

France go into Sunday’s clash with Tonga looking to erase an eight-year nightmare and produce a dominant performance that will keep them on track for a World Cup quarter-final.

Prediction: Tonga have been struggling and have yet to secure a win. France have been in fine form giving their pre-World Cup performance. Tonga will certainly put up a brave fight, however France will win by 5 points or more.

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Teams:

France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Sofiane Guitoune, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Gregorie Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Jefferson Poirot (captain).

Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Bernard Le Roux, 20 Yacouba Camara, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Camille Lopez, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi.

Tonga: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Cooper Vuna, 13 Malietoa Hingano, 12 Siale Piutau (captain), 11 David Halaifonua, 10 James Faiva, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Zane Kapeli, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.

Replacements: 16 Sosefo Sakalia, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Siua Halanukonuka, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Nasi Manu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Atieli Pakalani.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Matthew Carley (England)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)