A youthful French side maintained Les Blues winning start to the Rugby World Cup with a 38-11 Pool D victory over Romania at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, giving coach Philippe Saint-Andre plenty to ponder.
After beating Italy, Saint-Andre made 13 changes for the clash against Romania, fielding France’s youngest World Cup side for eight years and several players, notably two-try scorer Sofiane Guitoune, shone.
Despite five tries and a bonus point it was not all smooth sailing though as World Cup ever-presents Romania’s tireless work stifled the promised French flair.
France’s best work came in bursts. Shortly before halftime, with the score 3-3, Guitoune and Yannick Nyanga scored in quick succession with Romania a man short after lock Paulica Ion’s 30th-minute yellow card. Details