Canada reach first World Cup Final

The result is that they are through to their first ever World Cup Final - a rich reward for the attacking brand of rugby Francois Ratier’s side have brought to the tournament.

It will be heartbreaking for France to go out of their home World Cup but they can have no complaints on the day.

The hosts started pretty brightly.

Agricole dinked a lovely grubber through for Caroline Ladagnous and had she latched onto it she would have surely scored, but the ball beat her.

Agricole then had the first shot at the posts and she obliged to a massive cheer for France to take the lead.

Canada surged through Elissa Alarie and with their scrum completely powerful, a lovely kick from Mandy Marchak which Christelle Le Duff couldn't control gave them their first good platform in the France 22.

Canada’s scrum was totally in control and after a few goes at the line - they were over it twice - Kelly Russell came off the back and hit Marchak on a line heading for the posts. Somehow France managed to hold the ball up and when Marchak came at them again around the outside a few phases later it took a massive tackle from Marjorie Mayans to keep them out.

Ladaganous was then binned for a high tackle and Magali Harvey made it 3-3 with the penalty.

Agricole though put France into the lead despite their numerical disadvantage after her pack had won position through an excellent maul and they led 6-3.

A thrilling run from Elissa Alarie brought the Canadian fans to their feet but with Agricole kicking to the corners perfectly, Canada were finding it ever harder to break out of their own half.

By halftime though it was level with Harvey kicking a penalty.

After the break Canada raced out of the blocks. Alarie - now operating at scrum half - broke through after just two minutes, after a huge gap appeared by the breakdown, and raced 30 metres to finish superbly. Harvey missed the kick but Canada were 11-6 up.

It got even better a minute later. Canada were back on their own try line but pushed the ball out of the scrum and rather than kick it clear, they played it wide quickly, found Harvey and the winger raced almost the length of the pitch to score in the corner.

It was undoubtedly the try of the tournament  made all the more remarkable by the fact that France , until a few minutes before, had not conceded even one try all tournament. Harvey then cooly knocked over the touchline conversion and her side led 18-6.

France were in danger of falling apart with Canada coming at them from every angle and though they had plenty of ball, indecision under pressure was proving costly.

But finally they did get back into it. Going back to their strengths, a massive driving maul helped them over the line with the backing of a raucous crowd and the try was awarded and they were back into it.

France should have had another when Ladangous ran from one 22 to the other bravely having called a mark, but Mayans held on too long and despite the overlap out wide, Canada held firm.

The clock began to tick down with France desperately seeking a levelling score.  With four minutes to go their chance came. A line out to the corner brought about the chance for the maul they did not need to be asked twice.

Agricole though couldn't nail the kick and with just two minutes left it was too little too late for France to come back from.

FRANCE :Le Duff – Lièvre, Izar, Mayans, Ladaganous – (o) Agricole, (m) Troncy – N’Diaye, André, Diallo – Koita, De Nadaï – Portaries, Mignot (cap), Ezanno

Replacements: Salles, Arricastre, Chobet, Rabier, Grand, Le Duff, Poublan

CANADA :Alarie – Harvey, Marchak, Burk, Waters – (o) Belchos, (m) Bernier – K. Russell (cap), Paquin, Murphy – Samson, Blackwood – Leith, Donaldson, Pinault-Reid

Replacements: L. Russell, DeMerchant, Kirby, Beukeboom, Mack, Zussman, Dovanne