Thrilling win over All Blacks lays foundation for France's bright future

France v All Blacks was a vintage instalment of a classic fixture that went right down to the wire.

All Black wing Caleb Clarke gather possession with Gabin Villiere closes in during during the Autumn Nations Series meeting at the Stade de France. Pic:  Franco Arland/Getty Images

Silky skills, crushing power and a ding-dong on the scoreboard lapped up by a sold-out Saturday-night crowd: this was a vintage instalment of a classic fixture that went right down to the wire.

Antoine Dupont may have looked a little rusty on his second outing for France since the scrum-half’s sevens sojourn at the Paris Olympics but Thomas Ramos, who kicked 15 points with six from six off the tee, was as dependable as ever.