14 Aug 2011

French see off Irish, Italians edge Japanese

9:21 am on 14 August 2011

France has beaten Ireland 19-12 in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Bordeaux.

The French led 13-3 at half-time at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Vincent Clerc scoring the only try of the game which Dimitri Yachvili converted. Yachvili also kicked four penalties.

First five Ronan O'Gara kicked all of Ireland's points with four penalties.

Italy also beat Japan 31-24 at Cesena's Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Italy scoring tries through Matteo Pratichetti, Edoardo Gori, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Andrea Lo Cicero, young first five Riccardo Bocchino kicking three conversions.

Substitute Luciano Orquera kicked the rest of Italy's points.

Japan's tries came from backs Takeysa Usuzuki and Koji Taira as well as a penalty try while first five James Arlidge didn't miss a kick all night.

Elsewhere, Wales beat England 19-9 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, and Fiji beat Tonga 27-12 at Lautoka.