Pumas hold half-time lead over hosts France

France 9 Argentina 17

Argentina threatened a major World Cup upset as they stormed into a 17-9 interval lead against Pool D favourites France during tonight’s tournament opener.

Les Bleus suffered a nightmare opening 40 minutes at Stade de France as the Pumas swept clear through full-back Ignacio Corleto’s interception try and four Felipe Contepomi penalties.

The host nation had little to offer, relying on three David Skrela penalties for their points during a half dominated by Argentina.

France fly-half David Skrela launched the 20-team tournament into action, but his opposite number Hernandez replied confidently, rifling a 50-metre kick into touch deep inside the French half.

And it was the Pumas who drew first blood when centre Felipe Contepomi slotted a 35-metre penalty after the French forwards pulled down a maul.

The lead lasted just two minutes, with Skrela equalising from short range, yet Argentina looked far more confident with ball in hand and a second Contepomi penalty made it 6-3.

France, in contrast, were nervy and fractious, finding themselves starved of possession until a pulsating counter-attack almost produced a breathtaking try after Betsen’s crunching tackle on Contepomi.

A sweeping move had Argentina’s defence scampering to all parts as France fired a first warning signal at them.

The game was a fast and furious affair, and a French midfield blunder saw Argentina regain their initial attacking platform as home centre Damien Traille left the field with blood seeping from a head wound.

Frederic Michalak took his place to a rapturous reception, but Argentina continued pressing and France continued to find themselves hassled and harried in all phases.

Contepomi drifted a 21st-minute drop-goal attempt narrowly wide, yet France couldn’t get out of their own 22.

Had Argentina’s finishing matched their approach play, then the hosts would undoubtedly have found themselves comfortably adrift on the scoreboard.

Contepomi, though, then completed his penalty hat-trick for a 9-3 advantage, and worse was soon to follow for France.

Traille, back on the field instead of Michalak, burst clear in midfield and found flanker Remy Martin in support, but his pass was intercepted.

Wing Horacio Agulla found full-back Corleto sprinting up on his outside and he stormed clear for a spectacular try.

Contepomi’s conversion attempt struck the post, and although Skrela kicked his second penalty nine minutes before the break, France remained in deep strife.

Lock Rimas Alvarez-Kairelis replaced injured Argentina lock Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and Contepomi’s fourth penalty – from a metre inside his own half – made it 17-6 before Skrela found the target again.