France 56 Romania 8

France started their World Cup preparations with an easy 56-8 win over Romania in their warm-up match at Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens.  The French outscored the Romanians by eight tries to one, to illustrate their dominance in this game.

It was the best possible start for Les Bleus' World Cup preparations as they dominated all aspects of play.  They enjoyed a 35-5 lead (five tries to one) at half-time and scored another three tries without reply after the break.

The win, on a good pitch in great conditions, will also boost the French team's self-confidence ahead of their two warm-up games against the World Cup favourites and topped-ranked team on the Zurich World Rankings, England.

French coach Bernard Laporte was delighted with his team's performance.  "In this type of match, against a reputedly weaker adversary, the risk is not taking the match the right way," he told reporters.

"Here, the guys played seriously and with desire."

France took an early lead, with Damien Traille, Aurélien Rougerie and Imanol Harinordoquy collecting tries inside the first quarter as the weak Romanian defence struggled to control the French runners.  They continued to dominate proceedings for the remainder of the match.

Romania winger Gabriel Brezoianu helped the visitors save face with a try in the waning minutes of the first half.

South African-born centre Brian Liebenberg won his first cap for France, scoring a try in the process.

Yellow card(s):  Marius Tincu (Romania)

The Teams:

France:  1 Jean-Jacques Crenca, 2 Yannick Bru, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 4 Fabien Pelous, 5 Jerome Thion, 6 Serge Betsen Tchoua, 7 Olivier Magne, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 9 Fabien Galthie (c), 10 Frederic Michalak, 11 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 13 Damien Traille, 14 Christophe Dominici, 15 Pepito Elhorga
Reserves:  Olivier Brouzet, Raphael Ibanez, Gerald Merceron, Christian Labit, Brian Liebenberg, Olivier Milloud, Dimitri Yachvili

Romania:  1 Petru Balan, 2 Marius Tincu, 3 Marcel Socaciu, 4 Sorin Socol, 5 Cristian Petre, 6 George Chiriac, 7 Costica Mersoiu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 10 Ionut Tofan, 11 Gabriel Brezoianu, 12 Romeo Gontineac (c), 13 Valentin Maftei, 14 Cristian Sauan, 15 Dan Dumbrava
Reserves:  Augustin Petrechei, Cristian Podea, Cezar Popescu, Petrisor Toderasc, Marian Tudori, Mihai Vioreanu
Unused:  Iulian Andrei

Attendance:  18005
Referee:  De santis g.

Points Scorers:

France
Tries:  Rougerie A. 1, Jauzion Y. 1, Traille D. 1, Crenca J-J. 1, Betsen Tchoua S. 1, Harinordoquy I. 1, Magne O. 1, Liebenberg B. 1
Conv:  Michalak F. 7, Merceron G. 1

Romania
Tries: 
Brezoianu G. 1
Pen K.:  Dumbrava D. 1