Rugby World Cup | France vs Argentina player ratings - Ruck

Rugby World Cup | France vs Argentina player ratings

France held on for a narrow 23-21 win against Argentina in their Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina.

Below, we run through our star men, underperformers and finally our France vs Argentina player ratings.

The Pumas overturned a 20-3 half-time deficit to take a 21-20 lead until Camille Lopez’s drop goal put France ahead again in the Pool C encounter.

Tries from Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont gave France the advantage.

Guido Petti and Julian Montoya crossed for the Pumas and Benjamin Urdapilleta’s penalty put them ahead before replacement Lopez struck.

STAR MEN

France: Gael Fickou – Almost cost his side with a soft penalty in the closing stages – but that outside the centre was back to his outstanding best, scoring his first test try in three years.

Argentina: Guido Petti – The Pumas lock was imperious on his 49th cap at the lineout while also making seven huge tackles and sensationally ran 57 metres with the ball in hand.

UNDERPEFORMERS:

France: Virimi Vakatawa – The powerhouse speedster isn’t as effective in the centre and struggled to impact on the game. He made the least metres of the backline (15) and missed two tackles in defence. If France are going to beat England they will need him to be more prominent.

Argentina: Nicolas Sanchez – The fly-half was the top scorer at the tournament four years ago – but his kicking was far from accurate with a few unexpected misses ultimately costing the Pumas. He also missed his only attempted tackle while also conceding three turnovers.

France vs. Argentina player Ratings:

France playe ratings: Maxime Medard – 6, Damian Penaud – 7.5, Gael Fickou – 8, Virimi Vakatawa – 7, Yoann Huget – 6.5, Romain Ntamack – 7.5, Antoine Dupont -8, Gregory Alldritt – 7, Charles Ollivon – 7.5, Wenceslas Lauret – 7, Sebastien Vahaamahina – 7.5, Arthur Iturria -7 , Rabah Slimani – 7, Guilhem Guirado – 7.5, Jefferson Poirot – 6.5.

Argentina player ratings: Emiliano Boffelli – 6, Matias Moroni – 6, Matias Orlando – 6.5, Jeronimo de la Fuente – 6, Ramiro Moyano – 6, Nicolas Sanchez – 5.5, Tomas Cubelli – 6.5, Javier Ortega Desio -7, Marcos Kremer – 7.5, Pablo Matera – 7, Tomas Lavanini – 7, Guido Petti – 7.5, Juan Figallo – 6.5, Agustin Creevy – 8, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro – 6.5.

EDITORS PICKS: