France vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Les Bleus snatch thrilling win from remarkable Test
France 30-26 South Africa: Les Bleus snatched victory as both teams had a man sent off in an incredible Test match
France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games as they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Velodrome after a nail-biting contest.
Les Bleus had scrum-half Antoine Dupont sent off in the second half after the world champions were also reduced to 14 men following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s early exclusion.
But a strong finish, with a late try by forward Sipili Falatea and a last-gasp penalty by Thomas Ramos, earned Fabien Galthie’s side another win a week after they edged out Australia 30-29 in Paris.
South Africa were always close thanks to penalties by Cheslin Kolbe, as well as tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, but France were just a cut above, less than a year before they host the World Cup.
Relive all the action from France vs South Africa with our live blog below:
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 11 minutes
Fiji work something funky this time, Sam Matavesi fizzing his throw over the top where the catcher works a scissors with Kalaveti Ravouvou. The centre looks to punch through Rob Herring but can’t take cleanly.
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 10 minutes
Scrappy enough couple of minutes, this - Ireland disrupt the lineout and snare the loose ball, but Tadhg Beirne is hauled over the touchline.
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 9 minutes
Botia carries firmly around the corner from the back of the next Fijian lineout, and Ireland have again infringed. Sloppy stuff from Andy Farrell’s side as Fiji march up the right touchline through Teti Tela’s kick.
Botia is down for treatment on an injury but Mathieu Raynal asks Fiji to play - and the lineout goes awry.
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 8 minutes
...But Matavesi hits his man at the tail, and Fiji’s exit will be made easy by an offside Irishman. Penalty to the visitors.
There might have been a penalty anyway for Nick Timoney’s tackle on Levani Botia - a questionable use of arms from the Ireland flanker as he tries to chop his opposite number low, and he is duly warned by Mathieu Raynal.
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 7 minutes
A very solid defensive set from Fiji, keeping men in the line and tackling firmly to prevent Ireland winning collisions. Waisea Nayacalevu holds Joey Carbery as the fly-half tries to jink.
Eventually, Ireland stab through a little grubber that trundles out five out from the Fijian line. Pressure throw for Sam Matavesi...
Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 6 minutes
More worries for Ireland - Robbie Henshaw is off already, with Garry Ringrose on at 13. Far from ideal for the hosts, with the atmosphere rather punctured in Dublin.
A kick that goes out on the full from Fiji should give Ireland a chance to build. They’ll throw the lineout just outside the Fijian 22.
TRY! Ireland 0-7 FIJI (Kalaveti Ravouvou try, 4 minutes)
But not for long! That’s a stunning try!
First meaningful possession for Fiji and they strike quite superbly. Ireland are too narrow defensively, with speedy transfers granting Vinaya Habosi an alleyway up which to charge on the left. Habosi fends away a covering Jamison Gibson-Park and ships the ball infield to Waisea Nayacalevu, who draws the final defender and puts his centre partner Kalaveti Ravouvou in.
The conversion goes over, too. Excellent start for Fiji.
Missed penalty! Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 3 minutes
Not how Teti Tela would have liked to begin from the tee - tugged to the left from 40 metres out. Scoreless it remains.
Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 2 minutes
But Ireland come a-cropper soon after, a midfield carrier isolated and Fiji swiftly over the top. Sharp work from Eroni Mawi with Nick Timoney unable to shift the loosehead in the clearout.
Fiji will go for goal.
Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 1 minute
Adventure from Ireland early on, Robbie Henshaw carrying in a wide channel from inside his own 22. That’s jaunty, too, Joey Carbery lifting a cross-kick for Mack Hansen to claim impressively above his head, Ireland up to the ten-metre line.
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