Centre Nicolas Depoortere scored twice as France bounced back from defeat to South Africa by holding off spirited Fiji 34-21 in the Autumn Nations Series in Bordeaux on Saturday.<\/p>\n
France had led 21-0 after 20 minutes with youngster Depoortere opening the scoring before Julien Marchand and Charles Ollivon extended France’s lead, with Thomas Ramos converting all three tries.<\/p>\n
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But an upset was on the cards after Fiji came storming back with scores from Kalaveti Ravouvou, Selestino Ravutaumada and Jiuta Wainiqolo, alongside three Simione Kuruvoli conversions, bringing them level just after half-time.<\/p>\n
But after two Ramos penalties, Depoortere’s second try sealed the victory for France, a week on from a humbling loss to the four-time Rugby World Cup winners\u00a0which drew criticism\u00a0for head coach Fabien Galthie.<\/p>\n
Les Bleus finish\u00a0their\u00a0year\u00a0by hosting\u00a0Australia\u00a0in Paris\u00a0next\u00a0weekend while Fiji\u00a0head\u00a0to Spain.<\/p>\n
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Galthie\u00a0recalled\u00a0experienced\u00a0No.8 Gregory Alldritt as captain\u00a0and Ollivon\u00a0at lock as he\u00a0looked to avoid a fifth straight\u00a0Test\u00a0loss after the defeat to the Springboks and\u00a0three\u00a0losses\u00a0to New Zealand in July.<\/p>\n
Fiji’s Mick Byrne kept faith with the same starting lineup from last weekend’s defeat to England, including Racing 92’s Ravumautada\u00a0and Lyon’s Wainiqolo amongst seven France-based players in his matchday squad.<\/p>\n
Galthie’s\u00a0Six Nations champions\u00a0started in dominant fashion with 22-year-old Depoortere,\u00a0who grew up in the Bordeaux suburb of Pessac, hooker Marchand and Ollivon\u00a0crossing.<\/p>\n
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By the\u00a0interval,\u00a0the visitors were\u00a0right back in it, trailing by\u00a0just seven points thanks to efforts from Bristol centre Ravouvou and\u00a0Ravumautada.<\/p>\n
Les Bleus finished the half with flanker Oscar Jegou playing\u00a0centre\u00a0with starting midfielders Pierre-Louis Barassi\u00a0and his replacement Emilien Gailleton off with head injuries.<\/p>\n
Byrne’s side\u00a0maintained\u00a0their control of things after the break as\u00a0Wainiqolo battled over through two France defenders after 43 minutes and\u00a0Kuruvoli’s third\u00a0 conversion\u00a0of the game\u00a0brought the sides level.<\/p>\n
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With a quarter of the game left,\u00a0Galthie’s\u00a0side regained the lead, 27-21, as full-back Ramos slotted two penalties\u00a0following poor discipline from Fiji.<\/p>\n
Local boy\u00a0Depoortere\u00a0then gave the hosts some breathing space with nine minutes to go, making sure of victory with a charging run.<\/p>\n
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