Rugby powers signal intent in final Tests
Ten days and counting! With only a week and a half to go to the Rugby World Cup’s opener between hosts France and Argentina the excitement is truly building now.
Although the weekend’s pre-tournament friendlies might not be a true reflection of the various teams’ strengths and weaknesses, they threw up some interesting results with the bigger names securing easy wins.
France underpinned their position as possible winners with a facile 34-7 win against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, their third win in as many weeks.
Ireland, who will face a tough test to qualify from a Pool that also includes France and Argentina, were run close by Italy at Ravenhill and it took a late Ronan O’Gara try to secure victory.
South Africa easily brushed aside Scotland 27-3 at Murrayfield. Scotland took the early lead with a Chris Paterson penalty but failed to score for the remainder of the game.
Meanwhile, Japan scraped past Portugal on a 15-13 scoreline, while Argentina eased past a Belgium XV 36-8, while fielding a weakened team.
In another friendly, Canada scored a comfortable 40-10 victory over Newfoundland Rock.
Elsewhere, the Pacific island nations were in action against European club sides. Tonga beat Edinburgh 26-14, Samoa beat Sale Sharks 26-7, while Fiji beat Albi 47-24.
Another European club side, Munster scored a memorable 10-6 victory over USA Eagles, having trailed 6-0.
The teams are now back with their camps to make the final preparations ahead of the big kick-off at Stade de France on September 7.