Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is stretchered from the field
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Matches: France 42 - 17 Pacific Islanders

Teams: France | Pacific Islanders

France defeated the Pacific Islands 42-17 at the Bonal Stadium, but the result was marred by a horror tackle from Fijian wing Napolioni Nalaga on Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

Nalaga saw red for the challenge while Elissalde was stretchered from the field after having been knocked unconscious.

The Islanders had made a bright an physical start but were being frozen out of the game by a tight French defensive line and dominance over the set-piece.

Following Nalaga's sending off and a lengthy delay for treatment to Elissalde the French made their dominance show with Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski crossing following some fine work from Cedric Heymans and Julien Malzieu.

Elissalde's replacement Sebstien Tillous-Bordes scored the second after a fine move orchestrated by himself and Heymans. With the score at 17-6 the Islanders shut up shop and ground out two penalties from Seremaia Bai to make it 17-12 at the break.

Heymans scored France's third after the break before Louis Picamoles and Maxime Medard both crossed to hammer home the French advantage. Epi Taione crossed for a late consolation, but the Islanders were soundly beaten and unfortunately disgraced on their first meeting with France

France (17) 42 Pacific Island (12) 17

France: Tries: Szarzewski, Tillous-Borde, Heymans, Picamoles, Medard. Cons: Skrela 4. Pens: Skrela 3.

France: Medard, Malzieu, Jauzion, Baby, Heymans, Skrela, Elissalde, Faure, Szarzewski, Mas, Millo-Chulski, Nallet, Ouedraogo, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Traille for Jauzion (57), Tillous-Borde for Elissalde (18), Lecouls for Mas (72), Chabal for Nallet (45), Picamoles for Dusautoir (69).

Not Used: Kayser, Palisson.

Pacific Islands: Tries: Taione. Pens: Bai 4.

Pacific Islands: Williams, Vonowale-Nalaga, Rabeni, Taione, Delasau, Bai, Rauluni, Lealamanua, Fuga, Pulu, Hehea, Leawere, T-Pole, Koyamaibole, Latu.

Replacements: Ratuvou for Williams (57), Martens for Rauluni (67), Johnston for Lealamanua (45), Koto Vuli for Fuga (72), Levi for Leawere (48), Mapusua for Koyamaibole (69).

Not Used: Vaki.

Sent Off: Vonowale-Nalaga (18).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy) Television Match Official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Citing Commissioner: Budge Pountney (RFU)