France U20s opened their Junior World Championship campaign with a 45-15 win over Fiji in Kutaisi, turning a dangerous Pool D opener into a statement result.
Gabin Garault scored a hat-trick, Lucas Andjisseramatchi also crossed, and France’s set-piece pressure forced Fiji into long defensive spells at AIA Arena.
The result gives Cedric Laborde’s side immediate control of a pool that also includes Australia and Spain. France arrived in Georgia as U20 Six Nations champions after a clean sweep earlier this year, and this was the sort of first-round performance that underlined why they are being treated as title contenders.
Garault Drives France Clear
France built the scoreboard through forward pressure. Garault scored from close-range maul work in the 17th, 34th and 39th minutes, while Romeo Bonnard Martin added a sharp individual try and Andjisseramatchi finished early in the second half.
A penalty try on 54 minutes stretched the gap further, with Diego Jurd adding four conversions. Fiji’s response came through Epeli Roseruvakula and Mosese Tabuakoto, plus Isikeli Bari’s penalty, but three yellow cards left them chasing a game France had already bent towards their strengths.
Rugby Australia’s match centre listed France with seven tries to Fiji’s two, 56 percent possession, a 15-9 lineout advantage and an 11-6 scrum count. Those numbers told the story: France did not just win the highlight moments, they controlled the supply line.
The next test is different. France face Spain on 2 July before meeting Australia on 7 July, but this opening margin has already given Laborde’s group breathing room in the race for a semi-final path.
