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international women
France Head coach François Ratier claimed he learned nothing new about his team after they completed an unlikely comeback win over the Wallaroos.
In Aix-en-Provence, Ratier watched his team score 17 unanswered points in the second half to beat Australia for a 29-26 win.
It’s a result that’s even more impressive when you consider that France were reduced to 11 men on the field at one stage of the first half.
A wild seven minutes saw Ambre Mwayembe red carded on 20 minutes, while Lea Champon and Léa Murie were both booked for high tackles and Cloe Correa was red carded for gouging his eyes in a maul.
Brittany Merlo, Tania Naden and Caitlyn Halse all scored tries as Australia, outnumbered, led 19-12 at the break.
To continue with an extra layer of drama, the second half was interrupted when a bus caught fire outside the Stade Maurice David, causing a pause in the action.
When the game resumed, tries from Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Elise Riffonneau and Teani Feleu secured victory for the hosts, who avoided a second successive defeat by the Wallaroos by three points.
“I didn’t learn anything,” full-time Ratier said. “What I saw, I (already) knew. Now we have to be better. That’s it.
“I congratulate the Australian team, who gave us a great effort.
“I think the girls gave everything to win that game. But it’s not enough. Discipline hurts. A lot of things hurt. I can be happy about the result. Not how we played.”
The win means France failed to make the WXV Global Series. A week ago, Ratier was beaten 28-14 by the Black Ferns in Lyon, and next week his former team, Canada, visit La Rochelle.
The North Americans will arrive on France’s west coast on the back of a 26-26 draw with the Red Roses in Exeter.
France, after one defeat and a victory filled with frustration, is not yet a match for the women Rugby World Cup 2025 runner-up.
