France v Uruguay LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as hosts survive huge scare

France 27-12 Uruguay: Los Teros hugely impressed but a much-changed Les Bleus had just enough to claim a scrappy win

Rugby World Cup: France get off to a flying start against New Zealand in opening game

France backed up their opening night win over New Zealand with a highly-entertaining 27-12 victory over Uruguay as the inspired Rugby World Cup outsiders made the second-string hosts work desperately hard for their points while scoring two fine tries.

Uruguay stunned the home fans when Nicolas Freitas scooped up a loose ball to score the opening try after six minutes and though Antoine Hastoy and the boot of Melvyn Jaminet edged France clear, they were lucky to lead 13-5 at half-time after a second try for the visitors by Felipe Etcheverry was harshly ruled out for obstruction.

They were not to be denied 13 minutes after the break though as Baltazar Amaya scored a brilliant try that Etcheverry converted to bring Uruguay, playing with remarkable confidence, within a point.

France, struggling with discipline all night, hit back quickly with a try by Peato Mauvaka but were still unable to take command and managed only one more, for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, meaning they missed out on a four-try bonus point and will hope to play better in remaining Pool A fixtures against Namibia and Italy.

Relive all the action from Stade Pierre Mauroy below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here

France vs Uruguay live

• France unconvincingly beat Uruguay 27-12 to make it two wins from two in Pool A
• REPORT: France given huge Rugby World Cup scare by minnows Uruguay
• FULL-TIME! France 27-12 Uruguay
• 72’ - TRY! Bielle-Biarrey over in the corner to put the game to bed (FRA 27-12 URU)
• 55’ - TRY! France immediately hit back as Mauvaka capitalises on sloppy kick error (FRA 20-12 URU)
• 52’ - TRY! Amaya dances through for try in the corner (FRA 13-12 URU)
• 49’ - NO TRY! Villiere score chalked off for Jelonch knock-on in the air (FRA 13-5 URU)
• 32’ - NO TRY! Etcheverry’s try for Uruguay ruled out for obstruction during the build-up (FRA 13-5 URU)
• 11’ - TRY! Hastoy finishes off nice team move (FRA 10-5 URU)
• 6’ - TRY! Freitas goes over to give Uruguay shock lead (FRA 3-5 URU)

[14 September 2023 22:23 · Luke Baker]

France given huge Rugby World Cup scare by minnows Uruguay

France eventually saw off a brave Uruguay to continue their perfect start to the Rugby World Cup after grinding out a 27-12 win at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.

Anthony Jelonch returned from a lengthy ACL injury absence to captain the team as part of 12 changes to the starting XV which had opened the tournament with an impressive victory over three-time world champions New Zealand in Paris.

But Uruguay pushed them all the way, denying the hosts a four-try bonus point, and but for a chargedown try, could have been searching for the winning score in the final moments of the game.

[14 September 2023 22:10 · Luke Baker]

Maggie Alphonsi analyses Uruguay performance

ITV pundit Maggie Alphonsi gives her take on URuguay’s brave performance this evening

[14 September 2023 22:02 · Luke Baker]

FULL TIME! France 27-12 Uruguay

France scraped their way to victory but what a performance by Los Teros. Here are the biggest moments of the second half.

[14 September 2023 21:55 · Imogen Ainsworth]

FULL TIME France 27 - 12 Uruguay

Uruguay battled to the end there and were brilliant throughout but France do enough to hold on. Two wins for France now but neither particularly in the fashion that would have been expected.

[14 September 2023 21:51 · Imogen Ainsworth]

France 27 - 12 Uruguay 78 mins

The time is ticking down but Uruguay can take a lot from this, definitely the more lively of the two sides.

[14 September 2023 21:47 · Imogen Ainsworth]

NO TRY! France 27 - 12 Uruguay 75 mins

Macalou scores after a speedy break over half of the pitch as the ball goes loose from the counter ruck, he’s certainly been one of the more stand-out players for the home side today but he’s penalised for kicking the ball through the ruck and it’s disallowed.

[14 September 2023 21:42 · Luke Baker]

TRY! France 27 - 12 Uruguay 72 mins

Bielle-Biarrey is the scorer in the corner, must be some feeling scoring at a home World Cup at the age of 20! France approaching bonus point territory now, despite how much Uruguay have impressed. Conversion from the touchline from Jaminet is good.

[14 September 2023 21:39 · Imogen Ainsworth]

France 20 - 12 Uruguay 70mins

Uruguay lose the ball and France gather quickly.

[14 September 2023 21:38 · Imogen Ainsworth]

France 20 - 12 Uruguay 69mins

And Uruguay now have a penalty for a French knock-on after the lineout! Scrum time again. Uruguay arguably the more impressive of the two teams in parts today, this French certainly haven’t the best account of themselves despite the score,

[14 September 2023 21:36 · Imogen Ainsworth]

France 20 - 12 Uruguay 67 mins

Another scrum penalty... this time it goes France’s way again. A lot of scrum pens this evening. France work their way up the pitch again and Uruguay are defending once more.