World Rugby Classic Final

France 13 USA 6

Olivier Roumat is used to hitting the heights, after all he does top out at over two metres. But the giant lock, a former French national team captain, could not hide his delight after his side captured the World Rugby Classic title with a 13-6 victory over the USA on Saturday.

It's silly to think that the triumph at the National Sports Centre ranks up there with any during his illustrious international and club career, but Roumat was certainly happy with the way his players had seen off the challenge of Argentina, dethroned last year's winners the Barbarians and finally put paid to the USA.

"It is important for our team," said Roumat as he savoured the victory with champagne. "It is our the first invitation in four years and we had a lot of things to prove today. We proved that French rugby is good rugby and I hope everyone is very happy."

In atrocious conditions, it was the USA who had the first opportunity to put points on the board but John Hinkin missed with his penalty attempt after five minutes.

Frank Corilhons followed suit for France after 20 minutes, his kick sailing wide of the mark.

With sheeting rain it was never going to be classic final, despite the title of the event, and the flowing runs that the French had made in their previous games were few and far between - the boot taking precedence over the hands.

Sebastian Paillat did what his team-mate could not with 24 minutes gone, slotting another penalty attempt, this time from the right hand side.

However, not be outdone, Hinkin found his range for the USA as half-time approached, sending a centrally placed penalty just over the bar to tie the score.

He then added to his tally in the 42nd minute with a kick from midway in the French half to give the Americans a 6-3 lead.

The Europeans redoubled their efforts shortly after and they got their reward from a superb piece of inventive play.

Gaining possession of the ball near halfway, Corilhons sent a kick that bounced inbounds and then found touch within inches of the American tryline. That gave the French possession of the ball at the subsequent line out. A good throw saw them keep it and thanks to a fine rolling maul they were able to push over the line for the first try of the match.

Although Paillat missed the conversion the French were 8-6 up and they never looked back.

The Americans' fate was sealed six minutes from time when Wilfred Molinec sped away from midway in the US half for his side's second try.

Corilhons missed the conversion but the result was secure and French celebrated as only they know how, linking arms and singing a rousing song in the middle of the pitch.

"For the first ten minutes we were out of it," said Roumat. "But after that we controlled the ball, especially when we played with the driving maul. It was easier for us because we know how to do that. That prepared lots of gaps for our scrumhalf and that was why we scored the tries in the second half.

"The United States were a physical team but we had a good defence and were able to put the pressure back on them."

For US captain Craig Hartley it was a case of so near, but so far.

"We missed some opportunities and that rolling maul of theirs was a very effective tool in this weather and they used it to perfection," he said.

"They were slippery conditions and it could have gone either way. But hats off to them because they played an extremely well organised game. They played the way they needed to."

As with any sport, or anything at all come to that, the Americans hate to come second and Hartley's crew was no exception.

"It's hard to take and I hate to lose," he said. "But I am extremely proud of these guys. From No.1 to 25 everyone has had a tremendous tournament. They have all enjoyed themselves and they have played a step above. I couldn't ask for more from them.

"I know they are going to be unhappy that they have lost but we are all going to walk around with our heads held high tonight."

Meanwhile, the Plate final between New Zealand and Argentina was shared after neither side could break the deadlock in conditions that, if it were possible, were worse than what their Classic final counterparts had had to endure.

With the referee having blown for full-time with the scores locked at 0-0, both sides felt there was nothing to be gained from playing out extra-time and exchanged handshakes instead.

Women's International

USA Golden Eagles 15 MTR British Lionesses 10

Showing as much bottle as her male equivalents, US wing Pat Neder bounced back from a first half facial injury to score the winning try against the Lionesses.

With the score at 10-10 and the clock running down, Neder went over on the left to break the hearts of a British side that had held their own throughout the clash.

"I had a little break, had some stitches in my eye, came back and we knew that if we could get the ball outside we could get around them and that's what happened," a happy Neder said afterwards.