France 41 Canada 18 - Michalak leads Les Blues to top of Pool D and bonus-point win

Match in a minute from Stadium MK where France moved top of Pool D with a 41-18 bonus-point victory over Canada, watched by a record crowd for this ground of 28,145. Frederick Michalak was superb, overtakaking Thierry Lacroiz as France’s top point scorer in Rugby World Cups, setting up Wesley Fofana for a try in just the 3rd minute, the fastest in this tournament so far. Guilhem Guirado also scored but 17-0 became 17-12 as Canada scored two tries in three minutes, a catch from the restart DTH van der Merwe scoring his 3rd try of the tournament. Hooker Aaron Carpenter also scored after poor French defence, but Rabah Slimani replied for France just before half-time. Second-half penalties from Hirayama closed the gap before tries from Pascal Pape and Remy Grosso gave France their bonus point. France face Ireland next and will need to improve to beat them, whilst Canada will deservedly be favourites against Romania. Michael McCann, Stadium MK