France struggle past Canada in Rugby World Cup

France have defeated Canada 41-18 in the Rugby World Cup, after two late tries stretched the lead.

Les Bleus took the lead after just four minutes when Frederic Michalak offloaded to Wesley Fofana, who dodged a Canadian tackle before crossing the line.

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Canada ventured into the France half following the opening try, but Les Bleus were able to turn the ball over when the Canadians were on the line.

Michalak took France's lead to 10 in the 14th minute when Canada were penalised at the scrum and the ball was kicked through the posts.

The Maple Leafs had another attempt to get on the scoresheet when Doug Wooldridge broke down the left before passing to Nathan Hirayama, but the fly-half's drop goal went wide of the post.

Guilhem Guirado went over for a second try in the 28th minute after a maul was driven over from five yards.

Canada scored their first try of the match two minutes later, when Ciaran Hearn won the ball from the restart and worked it to the flanks. DTH van der Merwe took the pass and crossed the line.

It took just four minutes for Canada to score a second when Aaron Carpenter crossed the line after Kyle Gilmour was held up.

France created a 12-point lead just before half time when Rabah Slimani touched down after a driving maul.

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Les Bleus conceded a penalty at the scrum straight from the restart and Hirayama added three more to Canada's total.

It was another penalty for Canada as France came in offside and Hirayama brought the Maple Leafs to within six points of their opponents.

That was cancelled out by Michalak four minutes late though, as he dissected the posts with a penalty of his own.

France finally asserted their dominance in the closing stages when Pascal Pape touched down after another French maul.

Remy Grosso completed the scoring in the 75th minute when he shook off a tackle to stretch the lead.