Shaken by two extra-sporting incidents, the French XV easily defeated Uruguay in an open friendly match (28-43) this Wednesday evening. Tuilagi and Couilloud each scored two tries to seal the French triumph.
21:10 – Place to Argentina
END OF LIVE! After tonight’s friendly match against Uruguay, the XV de France will meet Argentina for a second confrontation in a week. The match between the Blues and the Pumas will start at 9 p.m. (French time).
21:05 – Match summary
While the French XV was disturbed by the exclusion of Melvyn Jaminet from the squad for making racist remarks, but also the arrest of Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou following a complaint for sexual assault, the mind was not really turned towards rugby for the Blues against Uruguay. With a completely revamped XV in which only Couilloud and Baubigny were present against Argentina last Saturday, Fabien Galthié’s players got off to the best possible start thanks to the foot of Léo Berdeu. In the 10th minute, the fly-half scored a penalty and converted the try of Baptiste Couilloud, found on the right wing. A one-way start to the match since ten minutes later, the scrum-half ran away and scored a try on the counter. Largely led, the Uruguayan locals began to build the launches of play. Before the break, the Teros opened the score thanks to their hooker Kessler, author of a powerful try. Before the break, Berdeu added two penalties.
After the break, the Uruguayans made the best start and Etcheverry took the space before serving Arcos Perez who flattened. Berdeu added six new points to his tally before the Tuilagi festival. Coming into play, the third row literally walked over the opposing defense by scoring a double, in three minutes of interval. A smashing entrance for the young hopeful who notably got rid of three opponents on his second try. Struggling in the spaces to conquer at the end of the match, the Blues conceded a penalty try (28-43) to seal the score of the friendly match. In this very particular context, the revamped XV of France imposed itself without forcing and can now concentrate on the second match against Argentina, next Saturday.
21:00 – Costly indiscipline
Although four tries were scored on both sides, the difference in the score was made thanks to Léo Berdeu’s penalties. Indeed, the fly-half presented himself five times in front of the posts and in total passed five penalties.
20:55 – A successful performance
In a very particular context, the head was not necessarily totally on rugby this evening for the XV of France. But the Blues achieved a complete performance in the conquest, in defense and on the offensive plan where four tries were scored.
20:50 – Eight tries
Prolific meeting between the XV of France and Uruguay. In a very open meeting, eight tries were scored in total.
20:44 – It’s over!
In a very open friendly match, the revamped French XV won without forcing (28-43) against Uruguay. Posolo Tuilagi and Baptiste Couilloud each scored two tries in the match.
20:39 – Penalty try (28-43)
In difficulty for a few scrums, the Blues crack this time in their five meters. Angus Mabey awards a penalty try. There are two minutes left before the siren.
20:38 – The defense does not tremble
New contentious situation in favor of the Uruguayans but the Blues do not crack on their line. The referee returns to the fault. Scrum introduction Uruguay.
20:36 – Beria hit
After another Uruguayan pick and go, Giorgi Beria remains on the ground. The left pillar seems to be injured and appears physically damaged.
20:35 – No try
Angus Mabey does not award a try for Uruguay. Les Bleus will clear their camp after a well-placed handball under the ball.
20:34 – Dangerous touch
After a new start to the game, the Uruguayans push on foot and Joris Juris clears the ball directly into touch to repel the danger.
20:32 – The French penalized
At the start of the last ten minutes of play, the Tricolores made a mistake for the second time in a row and the Uruguayans found a touchline at the halfway line.
20:28 – Cap test (21-43)
On the return, Bianchi recovers the ball after favorable rebounds and bad passes. He scores the third Uruguayan try.
20:26 – Tuilagi walks on water (14-43)
Three minutes after his first try, Posolo Tuilagi got rid of three opposing tackles by changing hands before touching down. What a try from the French third row!
20:22 – Tuilagi under the posts (14-36)
After the hour mark, Florent Vanvenberghe serves Posolo Tuilagi who tears through the opposing tackles to flatten under the posts. Segonds does not tremble and converts the try.
20:20 – Bamba comes out
While he had replaced Laclayat in the first half, Demba Bamba gives way to Sebastien Taofifenua. Posolo Tuilagi replaces Azagoh.
20:17 – Small mistakes
Tarrit wants to escape but he finds himself alone and loses the ball.
20:16 – Uruguay continues
From their camp, the Uruguayans try to move up the field by hand. The Teros chain the transmissions after contact.
20:15 – Segonds comes into play
After a successful performance, Léo Berdeu gave way to Joris Segonds.
20:12 – New penalty (14-29)
The minutes go by and look the same on the pitch at the Charrúa stadium. After another foul by the locals in their own 15-metre area, Léo Berdeu converts his seventh kick.
20:09 – Change
In the fiftieth minute of play, Fabien Galthié made a number of changes. Jauneau, Peysson and Tarrit came on in particular, while Couilloud, Tixeront and Baubigny were taken off.
20:07 – Tixeront’s counter
On an interesting touch in favor of the locals, Killian Tixeront jumps higher than everyone and blocks the throw.
20:06 – It’s still going (14-26)
Berdeu continues his flawless performance against the poles this evening.
20:05 – Berdeu facing the poles
In a new tricolor scrum at the entrance to the opponent’s 22 meters, the French pack once again made the difference and Léo Berdeu will try the 6/6.
20:03 – Arcos Perez behind the line (14-23)
What a combination from the Uruguayans! Coming out of the scrum, Etcheverry is served by Inciarte. The scrum-half feints the pass and takes space. He serves Arcos Perez who scores the second Uruguayan try. Etcheverry converts.