France made a clean sweep of the Autumn Nations Series, winning all three of their matches including their final match against Argentina by 37-23 in Paris on Friday night.  Les Bleus made short work of Japan in their first match of the series and then overturned a 17-10 deficit to narrowly beat New Zealand 30-29 last weekend.

In Friday’s match against Argentina, Thibaud Flament put the hosts on the scoreboard early in the first half, with Thomas Ramos successful with the easy conversion, making it 7-0 after 11 minutes.  Ramos and Argentina’s Tomas Albornoz traded penalties to keep the visitors in the game, but a try by Gabin Villiere powered the French ahead.

A penalty try for France just before half-time meant the hosts were comfortably in the lead with 30-9 at Stade de France. 

Los Pumas came back with a bang in the second half and scored in the 57th-minute courtesy of Thomas Gallo forcing his way over the line.  However, France regained their 21-point advantage with Louis Bielle-Biarrey chasing his own punt and touching down.  A last-gasp try by Ignacio Ruiz 10 minutes before the final whistle salvaged some pride for the visitors but was not enough to avoid a second successive defeat.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, France lock Emmanuel Meafou said: "We knew it was going to be an 80-minute game. We saw last week how Argentina went all the way against a good Irish team. We are happy with the win. We have three from three [in the autumn] and we will look to build on that in the Six Nations next year."

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg