A brace of tries by winger Vincent Clerc and a fine flyhalf performance from Gerald Merceron spearheaded France to a 35-3 win over Canada this afternoon, their biggest over the north Americans. After missing France's 30-10 win over South Africa on November 9 and their 20-20 draw with New Zealand last Saturday , Merceron celebrated his return with a personal total of 13 points, scoring three penalties and converting two of France's four tries.
The 29-year-old flyhalf also helped secure France the try that killed off the game as a contest in the 54th minute with a perfect kick in the back of the Canadian defence. Flanker Olivier Magne picked up the ball and offered an easy try to centre Damien Traille. France's first try was scored after 14 minutes by winger David Bory, who also missed the first two games of their November tour.
Clerc twice sidestepped the Canadian defence in the 60th and 71st minutes despite persistent drizzle which made both the ball and pitch slippery. Canada were by then reduced to 14 men as winger Fred Asselin had been sin-binned 15 minutes from time for a high tackle on Thomas Castaignede.
Traille booted the last conversion before flyhalf Bob Ross saved rescued some Canadian pride with a penalty. The victory gives France a 12-month test record of 10 wins, three defeats and a draw. But the French had to celebrate their win in a largely empty Stade de France, poor ticket sales having forced the French Federation to close the arena's upper-ring reducing its capacity from 78,500 spectators to 50,000.
Filed by Shane Murray
