France made it two wins from two autumn internationals as they withstood a late surge from Australia in Paris. Fly-half Camille Lopez kicked 16 points while Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Teddy Thomas scored first-half tries as the hosts lead from the outset.
Australia had Bernard Foley to thank for keeping them in contention, as well as tries in either half from Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rob Simmons. Remi Tales was sin-binned with six minutes remaining but France hung on.
Both teams were coming off the back of wins last weekend. France eased past Fiji 40-15, while Australia beat Wales 33-28 in Cardiff.
Scrum-half Tillous-Borde gave France the ideal start with a try seven minutes in after he picked up the ball from the base of a ruck five yards out.
Winger Thomas then thrilled the home crowd with a stunning run through five tackles to score in the corner and stretch France’s advantage to 17-6.
Ashley-Cooper replied for Australia seven minutes later after smart work from Foley enabled him to collect a switch pass just inside the touchline.
France kept the Wallabies quiet for the majority of the second half until Tales’ infringement made for an uncomfortable finish.
