France rout Fiji 54-17 to reclaim Northern Hemisphere lead

France beat Fiji 54-17 in Lyon to reclaim the lead in the Nations Championship’s Northern Hemisphere section. The win puts France in a strong position ahead of a meeting with South Africa, despite the team’s injury problems.

France scored eight tries, with Jean-Baptiste Gros, Sipili Falatea, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Kalvin Gourgues, Theo Attissogbe, Charles Ollivon and Antoine Dupont among the scorers, plus a penalty try. Gourgues and Maxime Lucu contributed 12 points with the boot; France have 17 points, two ahead of Ireland. Fiji scored twice through Vinaya Habosi and Selestino Ravutaumada, and are bottom of the Southern Hemisphere section without a point; France also lost flyhalf Romain Ntamack to injury in the first half.