Match Centre: France 30-29 Australia

France 30-29 Australia, Stade de France

Damian Penaud scored a try in the closing stage as France edged out Australia 30-29 in their autumn international fixture at Stade de France on Saturday.

This was also France's 11th consecutive victory as they continue their form but Australia now have two one-point margin games after defeating Scotland 16-15 last weekend.

An early infringement from Antony Dupont saw Bernard Foley kick a penalty goal in the 4th minute before Thomas Ramos kicked a three-pointer of his own two minutes later to level the scores.

The trend continued as Ramos slotted a 50m kick to put the Les Bleus in front but it was short-lived as Uini Atonio's tackle off the ball on Stuart Hooper led Foley to kicked a penalty goal to level the scores 6-6 by the 13th minute.

France had a try disallowed when Charles Ollivon burrowed over at the end of the opening quarter for a double movement but shortly Australia stretched their lead as Lalakai Foketi collected a swift pass from Tom Wright and Foley kicked the extras to make it 6-13.

Relentless pressure from France saw them win a penalty goal which Ramos kicked in the 34th minute and he followed with another three-pointer after Australia were penalised for holding on as the gap came down to one point.

With the momentum on their side, France were the happiest entering into the break as Julien Marchand dived from close range at the back of a strong ruck and Ramos made no mistake with the conversion to take them to a 19-13 lead at the end of the opening half.

A France infringement at a line out allowed Foley to help Australia off the block in the second half with another penalty goal but a high tackle allowed Ramos to kick a three-pointer to restore the six-point lead for France. At the end of the third quarter, Australia seized the lead back as White spotted the gap to allow Jock Campbell to score.

Foley, who kicked the conversion also followed with a penalty goal as the scoreline became 22-26 with 10 minutes left in the game. As Australia infringed with offside, Ramos kicked a 73rd minute penalty to make it 25-26 but a high tackle from the home side helped Reece Hodge help a three-pointer to make it 25-29.

Just as Australia thought they will get away with another close win, Jalibert sent a pass over the top for Penaud to score as France edged away with a one-point victory to maintain their winning streak.

Team line up:

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Moefana; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt

Reserves: Mauvaka, Priso, Falatea, Taofifenua, Geraci, Macalou, Luca, Jalibert.

Australia: Campbell; Kellaway, Ikitau, Foketi, Wright; Foley, White; Slipper (capt), Porecki, Tupou, Frost, Neville, Holloway, Hooper, Valetini.

Reserves: Fainga’a, Gibbon, Robertson, Skelton, Samu, Gordan, Paisami, Hodge.