First-half blitz sees Les Bleus past Los Pumas

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MATCH REPORT: France completed their November campaign unbeaten - securing a sweep with a 37-23 win over Argentina at Stade de France in Paris on Friday.

The French beat Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

A 17-point blitz late in the first half decided the outcome.

With the French leading by just four points (13-9) on the half-hour mark, the visitors had hopes of an upset.

However, in the next 10 minutes, the game changed dramatically.

Two tries, one a penalty try and a yellow card, as well as a penalty, saw the French race into a 21-point (30-9) lead at the half-time break.

Despite a gritty second-half performance - in which Los Pumas outscored Les Bleus 14-7, it was just too much of a gap to close.

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Les Bleus claimed four tries including a superb solo effort from in-form wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Los Pumas had two players shown yellow cards in the first half, Julian Montoya and Juan Martin Gonzalez, which led to the hosts leading 30-9 at the break.

More to follow ....

The scorers

For France
Tries: Flament, Villiere, Penalty try, Bielle-Biarrey
Cons: Ramos 3, penalty try does not require a conversion
Pens: Ramos 3

For Argentina
Tries: Gallo, Ruiz
Cons: Albornoz 2
Pens: Albornoz 3

Yellow cards: Julian Montoya (Argentina, 3 - foul play, croc roll), Bautista Delguy (Argentina, 35 - cynical foul, deliberately slapping the ball away)

Teams:

France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Charles Ollivon, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickael Guillard, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Marko Gazzotti, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Matias Moroni, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Mateo Carreras.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)