Two for Two as France topple Women’s Eagles

In a match very reminiscent of the first test in Béziers, France defeated the USA Women’s Eagles by a score of 31-6 at Altrad Stadium in Montpellier on Friday. The story was the same – a close 12-6 game at halftime and then a one-sided second stanza with France scoring 19 unanswered points via three tries following the break.

Kimber Rozier opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the 4th minute but France struck back immediately with strong handling from the forwards landing Pauline Rayssac in the corner for the first try. The act was repeated after a half-hour stalemate. No sooner had Rozier’s second penalty sailed over the posts when Laure Delas barged over from a quick tap penalty, converting her own try to bring up the halftime whistle.

The second half started in the worst possible way when Camille Imart charge down Rozier’s clearance attempt from the restart. From the ensuing ruck Audrey Forlani strolled virtually unchallenged over the line for an easy score.

Elodie Poublain was next to cross the line, following up on a Safi N’Diaye rumble to get in behind the defense and slide in under the posts. A second try to Delas in the final minutes finished things off for the French, with Christelle Le Duff adding the excellent sideline conversion.

The Women’s Eagles will now look to regroup ahead of August’s Women’s World Cup in Ireland. France will ready for the Women’s Six Nations with an eye on defeating closest rivals England.

 

SCORING

FRANCE 31
Tries – P. Rayssac (8′), L. Delas 2 (39′, 74′), A Forlani (41′), E. Poublain (53′)
Cons – L. Delas 2 (40′, 53′), C. Le Duff (75′)

USA 6
Pens – K. Rozier 2 (4′, 38′)
Yellow cards – N. Tapper (52′)

 

TEAMS

FRANCE
1 Anaëlle Deshayes, 2 Gaëlle Mignot (capt.), 3 Patricia Carricaburu, 4 Céline Ferrer, 5 Audrey Forlani, 6 Pauline Rayssac, 7 Romane Ménager, 8 Safi N’Diaye, 9 Yanna Rivoalen, 10 Camille Imart, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Elodie Poublan, 13 Caroline Ladagnous, 14 Elodie Guiglion, 15 Laure Delas

16 Manon Bigot, 17 Lise Arricastre, 18 Lenaïg Corson, 19 Gaelle Germet, 20 Camille Cabalou, 21 Christelle Le Duff, 22 Lauriane Lissar, 23 Julie Duval

USA
1 Sarah Chobot, 2 Katy Augustyn, 3 Hope Rogers (capt.), 4 Abby Gustaitis, 5 Jordan Gray, 6 Christiane Pheil, 7 Kate Zackary, 8 Kate Daley, 9 Jennifer Lui, 10 Kimber Rozier, 11 Naya Tapper, 12 Sylvia Braaten, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Tess Feury, 15 Jessica Wooden

16 Sam Pankey, 17 Catie Benson, 18 Tiffany Faaee, 19 Joanna Kitlinski, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Joanne Fa’avesi, 22 Kelsi Stockert, 23 Megan Foster

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Rose LaBrèche (RC)
Assistants: Joy Neville (IRFU) & AN Other

 

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