FRANCE 114 SCOTLAND 0
IAN GOLDEN, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Saturday

FRANCE were outstanding in their World Cup opener against Scotland.

At one point, everyone was reaching for the record books to see if this was going to beat France’s 154-2 win over Scotland in 2013, an international record, but in the final half hour, the Scots restricted the scoring a lot more and even kept their opponents scoreless in nine of the last ten minutes.

Scotland even nearly took a first-minute lead but Calum Davidson’s wheel was over the line as he touched the ball down.

But France took control from the fourth minute. Jérémy Bourson broke away from beyond the halfway line to touch down under the sticks, and Léo Hivernat added the first of his six goals.

The kicker created the second try on ten minutes, palming the ball to Adrien Zittel to score.

Scotland held out for another five minutes before a touch of class from Bourson led to Gilles Clausells going in for France’s third.

And after Scotland gave away a penalty just after kick-off, Bourson went in for the fourth try.

On 22 minutes, it was time for Clausells to score again as he broke free.

There was a break of six minutes before the next try, but after that, they came in quick succession before half-time.

Substitute Jonathan Hivernat scored the next three tries, with his brother converting the first to put the score on to 44-0 on 33 minutes.

There was still time for three more tries before the break, one from Bourson, along with one each from the brothers, with Jonathan Hivernat adding two goals and Bourson one to put the half-time score on to 62-0.

Just like the first half, Scotland started with determination, but there was no escape when France got the ball.

Zittel was denied a try after being whacked into touch by Calum Japes, but from the next play, the ball made its way over to Bourson who grounded in the opposite corner where Jonathan Hivernet converted.

Zittel and Bourson each added tries, with Jonathan adding the goals, but Scotland weren’t giving up. They were close to scoring on 52 and 65 minutes, with three tries scored in between those efforts, one from Bourson and two from Zittel. Jonathan kicked two goals and Bourson one.

The French brought up the century on 68 minutes through a Bourson try, and this was quickly followed by a try from substitute Florain Guttadoro. Clausells added both goals to put the score on to 110-0 on 71 minutes.

The 20th and last try came in the final minute when Jonathan Hivernat raced down the wing.

GAMESTAR: For his seven tries and two goals, Jérémy Bourson, but the French were full of stars.

GAMEBREAKER: France were in control for the whole game.

MATCHFACTS

FRANCE
7 Léo Hivernat
2 Guillaume Dubruel
4 Jérémy Bourson
1 Gilles Clausells
5 Adrien Zittel
Subs (all used)
3 Florian Guttadoro
6 Jonathan Hivernat
8 Jorge Gelade Panzo

Tries: Bourson (4, 16, 37, 44, 49, 54, 68), Zittel (10, 47, 58, 63), G Clausells (14, 20), J Hivernat (28, 30, 33, 39, 79), L Hivernat (39), Guttadoro (70)
Goals: L Hivernat 6/8, J Hivernat 7/7, Bourson 2/2, G Clausells 2/3

SCOTLAND
2 Arran King
1 Calum Davidson
4 Dave Hill
5 Olivia Fulton
11 Alex Howe
Subs (all used)
8 Hamish Douglas
9 Calum Japes
10 Mark Robertson

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 30-0, 36-0, 40-0, 44-0, 50-0, 56-0, 62-0; 68-0, 74-0, 80-0, 86-0, 92-0, 98-0, 104-0, 110-0, 114-0

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Players of the Match
France: Jérémy Bourson, Scotland: Arran King

Penalty count: 4-5
Half-time: 62-0
Referees: Rebecca Whiteley and Robert Burgin
Attendance: 1,216