'I learned nothing': France coach Ratier unimpressed despite dramatic Wallaroos comeback

France head coach François Ratier claimed he learned nothing new about his team after they completed an unlikely comeback to beat the Wallaroos.

In Aix-en-Provence, Ratier watched his team score 17 unanswered points in the second half to overcome Australia to win 29-26.

It is a result made all the more impressive when you consider that, at one stage in the first half, France were reduced to 11 players on the pitch.

A wild seven minutes saw Ambre Mwayembe receive a 20-minute red card, while both Lea Champon and Léa Murie received yellow cards for high tackles and Cloe Correa received a straight red card for eye-gouging in a maul.

Brittany Merlo, Tania Naden and Caitlyn Halse all scored tries as Australia, with a numerical advantage, led 19-12 at the break.

To add an extra layer of drama to proceedings, the second half was interrupted when a bus caught fire next to Stade Maurice David, causing a pause in the action.

When the game resumed, tries from Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Elisa Riffonneau and Teani Feleu secured victory for the hosts, who avoided a second consecutive loss to the Wallaroos by three points.

“I didn’t learn anything,” Ratier said at full-time. “What I saw, I [already] knew. Now we have to be better. That’s it.

“Congrats to the Australian team, who gave us a very hard time.

“I think the girls gave it everything to win that game. But it’s not enough. Discipline hurts. Many things hurt. I can be happy about the result. Not the way we played.”

The win means France are now off the mark in the WXV Global Series. A week ago, Ratier saw his team beaten 28-14 by the Black Ferns in Lyon, and next week his former team, Canada, will visit La Rochelle.

The North Americans will arrive on France’s west coast riding high after their 26-26 draw with the Red Roses in Exeter.

France, after one loss and a win filled with frustration, are not yet a match for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 runners-up.