FRANCE 36 NIGERIA 8
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan, Saturday
WINGER Haoua Kessely crossed for four of France’s seven tries in their first ever women’s international with Nigeria.
The visiting Green Falcons held the hosts to a 14-4 interval lead before France dominated the second half.
Kessely opened the scoring in the second minute, but Nigeria hit back when Adaeze Precious Innocent wriggled out of a tackle on her own 30-metre line, broke free and slipped an inside pass to Lauretta Bayere.
Kessely posted her second down the right and Cristina Song Puche delivered the final pass for her hat-trick soon after.
France’s Anais Andral barged through to the left of the posts just after the break, only for Bayere to send in hooker Odiri Becky Okitikpe to keep Nigeria in touch.
But a fine solo effort from Elisa Akpa kicked off a dominant final 20 minutes for the hosts.
Lisa Diraison’s cut-out pass to Kessely saw her claim a fourth try, then fullback Manon Samarra got their final touchdown and Dirason kicked her fourth conversion.
Like France’s defeat to England the previous week, it was played over 70 minutes and under the NRLW rules which will be used at the World Cup, for which France have qualified.
“I’m happy with the result, it was a good test for us,” said France head coach Alan Walsh.
“I think we tried to overplay in the first half. We had a good chat at half-time and the second was a lot better.
“I was very impressed with the physicality of Nigeria and their never-give-up attitude.”
New Nigeria coach Melissa Spero said: “Overall our performance is a great place to be working from.
“Already the girls are learning and becoming better players and people. The first half was really positive and competitive.”
FRANCE: Manon Samarra, Haoua Kessely, Amaël Vilanove, Margot Canal, Chahrazad Himoudi, Camille Boudad, Lisa Diraison, Elisa Akpa, Noemie Samuel, Elodie Pacull, Stecy Bessier, Salome Segala, Tallis Eranossian. Subs: Interchanges: Cristina Song Puche, Anais Andral, Louisa Tooman
Tries: Kessely (2, 22, 31, 55), Andral (38), Akpa (52), Samarra (58); Goals: Diraison 4/7
NIGERIA: Ovbokhan Success Iyoha, Annique Omodiagbe, Lauretta Bayere, Confidence Ibelezim, Precious Endurance Ukwuoma, Rukayat Akinade, Adaeze Precious Innocent, Fedelia Omoghan, Odiri Becky Okitikpe, Danyelle Shobanjo, Abiola Obazuaye, Siobhan Sheerin, Diamond Osobu. Subs: Augustar Mene, Mary Adewa, Abbie Daly, Chinaza Blessing Abbah
Tries: Bayere (9), Okitikpe (44); Goals: Innocent 0/1, Mene 0/1
Half-time: 14-4; Referee: Geoffrey Poumes