France 43-5 Samoa, Stade de France, November 21
France sweep Samoa aside
Scrum.com
November 21, 2009
Date/Time: Nov 21, 2009, 18:00 local, 17:00 GMT
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
France 43 - 5 Samoa
Attendance: 67834  Half-time: 33 - 0
Tries: Clerc, Dusautoir, Fall, Jauzion, Szarzewski, Trinh-Duc 2
Cons: Parra 4
Tries: Tekori
France's Vincent Clerc is tackled by Samoa's Misioka Timoteo, France v Samoa, Stade de France, Paris, France, November 21, 2009
France's Vincent Clerc is tackled by Samoa's Misioka Timoteo during their clash in Paris
© Getty Images
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France hammered Samoa 43-5 in a one-sided clash at the Stade de France in Paris.

Two tries from fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc and further scores from captain Thierry Dusautoir, wingers Vincent Clerc and Benjamin Fall, centre Yannick Jauzion and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski propelled the hosts to a notable victory with replacement lock Joe Tekori grabbing a consolation try for the South Sea Islanders.

Les Bleus headed into their second autumn international full of confidence following last Friday's superb 20-13 triumph over the South Africa in Toulouse and took the initiative straight away in Paris.

Three tries in the opening 15 minutes, courtesy of Szarzewski, Clerc and Jauzion, put the home team firmly in the ascendancy and tries from Dusautoir and debutant Fall had the French 33-0 up at half-time. Trinh-Duc bagged two more tries in the second period before Samoa finally got on the scoresheet nine minutes from time.

The Samoan line was under siege from the outset as Szarzewski crossed for the opening score after just three minutes. Morgan Parra added the conversion to give France an early 7-0 advantage. Parra began the move which led to the second try five minutes later, Clerc latching onto a neat grubber from Maxime Medard and diving over. Parra again added the extras.

Samoa, who slipped to a narrow defeat in Wales eight days ago, struggled to see enough of the ball to trouble the skilful French despite their physical presence. Trinh-Duc supplied Jauzion for the third try after 13 minutes, chipping over the top for the centre to brilliantly pull the ball down out of the area and cross the line to further deflate Samoa.

Their lead was further extended, after a video review, on the half-hour by a Dusautoir try and the seemingly relentless boot of Parra again made no mistake as Marc Lievremont's side surged 28-0 ahead. Julien Bonnaire then supplied Bayonne wing Fall with a grubber to cross for his first France try and, although Parra missed the conversion, the hosts went in at half-time 33-0 up and fully in control.

Samoa fly-half Fa'atonu Fili missed three penalties as the visitors toiled for their breakthrough. There was no respite for the Samoans as the onslaught continued after the interval.

Trinh-Duc powered over for a sixth score just after the hour after a scrum five yards from the Samoa line, and added another to his personal tally just five minutes later. Parra missed the first conversion and was then replaced by Julien Dupuy, who hit the post with his attempt.

Samoa finally breached the French defence after 71 minutes with a well-taken try from Tekori which will have provided some consolation after a thoroughly demoralising afternoon.

France will be delighted with the manner of their victory but know they can expect a much tougher 80 minutes' work against New Zealand in Marseille next weekend.

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