The USA concluded Paris 7s pool play with a 14-5 loss to France, and both teams head to the Cup quarterfinals tomorrow. The Eagles will face North American foe Canada, which will no doubt be looking for revenge after the teams’ last meeting in Langford.
Related: USA Beats Spain in Injury Time • Eagles Hold Off Japan in Paris • Paris 7s Pool Play Photos
The game started with Abby Gustaitis in the air and securing France’s kickoff. The Eagles worked the edges for a few good phases but an unforced handling error in the middle of the field ended that attack. The long-legged USA scrum stole the subsequent set piece, and scrumhalf Nicole Heavirland moved it quickly to Lauren Doyle. The flyhalf hasn’t lost a step and seemed to glide easily for 80 meters past the trailing defense and nearly centered try, 5-0.
Gustaitis got hands on the restart and Ryan Carlyle pulled it in. The USA held onto possession but the breakdowns heated up and the pressure saw the Eagles retreat. Eventually, France drew a penalty and worked the ball wide, where Camille Grassineau pushed off two big defenders for the try line. It looked like a given five points until Alev Kelter came barreling into the picture, wrapping up Grassineau right at the line and drawing a not-releasing penalty.
Play returned to France’s end after a good lineout and pulling-down penalty. After the second lineout, Kelter was held up in the tackle and France sent three players in to rip away possession. A USA penalty followed and France was back on the Eagles’ 22 meter with a lineout. Les Bleus did a great job of stalling the defense and Caroline Drouin was one pass away from a try, but Naya Tapper inserted herself in the passing lane for the pick. Drouin clasped her head as the lines were cleared and the half ended with a hurried to kick to touch, 5-0 to the USA.
A knock-on in the restart afforded France the scrum on its 40 meter and the attack continued after an offsides penalty in the ruck. The home team steadily built its phases until a speed mismatch appeared on the sideline, and Chloe Pelle finished off the series with France’s first try. Drouin slotted the conversion for the 7-5 lead.
The rest of the game stayed in the USA’s end, and it was choppy all around. There were a couple of opportunities to get out of danger, but France always returned those attempts with stronger counters. Cheta Emba broke free around the corner but there was no support, and the prop tried to lob the ball back to her teammates as she was pushed into touch, but the result was a free ball on the ground. France scooped it up and looked to build a quick score as the defense regrouped. One phase away from the try line, Kelter made the tackle and got over the ball to force a not-releasing penalty.
The kick to touch set up a lineout just outside the USA’s 22 meter, but the throw-in just went through Joanne Fa’avesi’s fingertips into France’s hands. Luckily a forward pass followed, but again, this dread of another France try loomed. The fear mounted as the French defense eventually forced an errant pass that trickled to the USA tryline. Emba did a great job of fielding it and booting the ball downfield, but not to touch. France mounted a quick counterattack that found Grassineau in the end, recompense for her previously thwarted try. The tough conversion from Shannon Izar afforded the 14-5 win.
The USA will face Canada at 10:08 a.m. Eastern in the Cup quarterfinals, and will face New Zealand or Spain in the following round. There are only two games on Saturday and a single placing match on Sunday. Tune into FloRugby for the live coverage.