August 9, 2017
France dominates Japan to Open Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017
Photo: INPHO/ Oisin Keniry (Captains Seina Saito & Gaelle Mignot)
Doug Coil
France continued the run of the higher seeded teams winning their opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017, beating Japan 72-14.
France scored 12 seconds into the match with Romane Menager running in a try. Elodie Guiglion added another four minutes later. Annaelle Dehayes mauled her way in-goal at the 13th minute and Caroline Drouin converted to give France a 17-0 lead. Four minute later Caroline Ladagnous added a 4th try and the lead was 22-0.
Japan fought back after a yellow card was issued to Celine Ferer, with Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave making several runs before grounding the ball. After Mayu Shimizu’s conversion the score was 22-7.
Japan attacked again before turning over the ball and Lenaig Corson fended several players before Caroline Boujard added a try and Drouin converted for a 29-7 lead.
Early in the second half, Bogidraumainadave suffered a leg injury. It is hoped that the injury is minor, as the injury could be a factor for future Japan matches.
France attack then surged with five tries, one by Elodie Guiglion, two by Caroline Ladagnous, another by Annaelle Deshays and one by Montserrat Amedee for a 58-7 lead.
Discipline then proved to be an issue for both sides as Audrey Abadie was sent to the bin for France and Makito Tomita was issued a red card for a high tackle.
France added tries by Romane Menager and Montserrat Amedee to lead 72-7 with five minutes remaining. Japan’s Yumeno Noda added a last minute try before the match ended.
With the 72-14 win for France, it has 5 points and is in first place in Pool C. They will face Australia on Sunday, August 13, while Japan will face Ireland, who beat Australia 19-17.
France: 1 Annaëlle Deshayes 2 Gaëlle Mignot (captain) 3 Julie Duval 4 Céline Ferer 5 Lenaïg Corson 6 Julie Annery 7 Romane Menager 8 Safi N’Diaye 9 Yanna Rivoalen 10 Caroline Drouin 11 Caroline Boujard 12 Elodie Poublan 13 Caroline Ladagnous 14 Elodie Guiglion 15 Montserrat Amedee 16 Caroline Thomas 17 Lise Arricastre 18 Patricia Carricaburu 19 Audrey Forlani 20 Marjorie Mayans 21 Audrey Abadie 22 Carla Neisen 23 Chloé Pelle
Japan: 1 Makoto Ebuchi 2 Seina Saito (captain) 3 Saki Minami 4 Aoi Mimura 5 Ayano Sakurai 6 Yuki Sue 7 Ayaka Suzuki 8 Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave 9 Moe Tsukui 10 Minori Yamamoto 11 Honoka Tsutsumi 12 Makiko Tomita 13 Iroha Nagata 14 Eriko Hirano 15 Mayu Shimizu 16 Misaki Suzuki 17 Mizuho Kataoka 18 Maiko Fujimoto 19 Maki Takano 20 Aya Nakajima 21 Yumeno Noda 22 Wasana Fukushima 23 Riho Kurogi
Doug Coil
