France 34-21 Fiji result - Quilter Nations Series action Les Bleus grab first victory since Six Nations

It was not a stylish win for France. France have been far from that since winning the Six Nations this year, but it was an entertaining, hard-fought win against a Fiji side who pressured and disrupted them as the rain crashed down on the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.

It started stylishly, at least. The French raced out to a 21-0 lead with three tries in the opening 20 minutes. The first was the sweetest of France's scores as Nicolas Depoortere carved his way to the line. His centre partner Pierre-Louis Barassi burst through a gaping hole in Fiji's backline and a sharp pass inside to Depoortere saw him score his first international try.

Things quickly worsened for the visitors when Selestino Ravutaumada was sent to the sin-bin, and Julien Marchand scored France's second off the back of that as Fiji were powerless to stop a fierce maul towards their line.

Charles Ollivon, who was immense all night, scored the third as he crashed through two Fijians to cap an incisive counter-attack. The game looked to be over. The French were flying. Thomas Ramos was metronomic from the tee.

But it was almost as if the French thought the same, that the win they had craved for months was finally theirs, and they let their foot off the gas. Kalaveti Ravouvou made them pay, and the centre burst through some suddenly tiring French defenders for Fiji's first try.

Ravutaumada, making up for his sin-binning, scored their second right on the edge of the first-half, skipping from outside to in and bamboozling a trio of Frenchmen.

They struck first in the second-half too and those weak French shoulders had not gotten any stronger. The rampaging Jiuta Wainiqolo scored an improbable finish, stepping inside and carrying two French defenders with him over the line instead of racing for the corner.

The game was level and although Ramos slotted a penalty in the 50th minute to retake the lead, the hosts were looking sluggish and tired. Fiji, who had seen the second half against England slip away from them, were chomping at the bit.

And so France resorted to pragmatism. Ramos was calm and clever and kicked his goals until the opportunity presented for him to burst life back into his side.

He did so once again with Depoortere, and the full-back's neat inside ball to the oncoming centre saw him barrel towards the line and confirm a hard-fought win.

France now turn their attention to a meeting with the Wallabies after the Australia were overpowered 46-19 by Ireland in Dublin.

"It's always difficult to play after a loss. We had a tough week, and tonight we're just happy with the win. It was important for us to win again. Fiji are a really tough team, they're improving week after week, and we saw it tonight. Now we just need to go back to work because next week in Paris against Australia is going to be a massive game.

"You need three players to stop one player, so that's the most difficult thing.

"We just really want to have more energy on the pitch. Last week against South Africa in Stade de France was tough for us. We want to give something better for the fans."

"A good result for the team, but a very tough game. We know the quality of the Fijian squad, the Fijian boys are incredible. Every time we play against Fiji it's a physical battle. They are very good guys, we have them in our championship and we love them because they're different.

"Another hard game against Australia. We need a good recovery before starting a new week."

"I think it's the least celebrated international win that I've seen in a long time. We saw Anthony Jelonch's face, just relieved that finally this is over," Benjamin Kayser said.

"We can press pause and try to reflect and get away with a big win. Such a hard-fought win. Barely any smiles. But they know they're going to have to question this performance massively."

That has been a long time coming for the French, and they survived a scare from Fiji to halt their losing streak and pick up a first win since the Six Nations.

There are not a lot of celebrations, and it looks like relief more than anything for the French after a hard-fought win.

Trademark Alldritt and he turns it over, Fiji let the ball carrier get too far away from the support and the forward sniped into the ruck and stole the ball, that's game for France.

It's not a penalty try since Penaud was there, but Ramos is offside and is sent to the sin-bin. Fiji have 13 points to cut down but they're on the 5m line now. They need make something happen now.

Wainiqolo pounces on a great kick through and it takes both Ramos and Penaud to drag him down. But there is just a check for a potential slap down by Ramos...

Could be a penalty try...

France have got their second wind here, just shutting down every inroad that Fiji try to make and keep them in the middle of the park.

Depoortere gets his second try of the night and his second international try! France have been slow this half but kick into gear here.

Several good phases and strong carries opens up space out wide, and Ramos hands a lovely inside ball to the centre who bundles his way towards the line.

Is that the decisive score?

With an easy three points on offer, France decline the posts and head to the corner, only for a poor overthrow to be picked up by Fiji in their 22.

Ramos tries to run back Fiji's clearance and is boomed into touch.

Another poor French error and this time at the lineout. A badly-timed jump is called against Ollivon and France are still looking unconvincing.

Jimi Maximin is on for Taofifenua, and Thomas Laclayat on for Montagne.

France steal Fiji ball but Depoortere throws a wild pass and France chase the ball back into the 22, with Fiji almost regaining possession. A chaotic little exchange but a horror show if you're a French coach.

Kuruvoli misses the chance to add three points from just shy of 50m.

The game has slowed down considerably and there's some tired legs. Play is paused however after Jegou has an issue with his eye.

He slots this one to extend the lead to six. France have added a bit of pragmatism and Fiji are trying a bit too hard, resulting in some ill-discipline.

France have got their base back now and a try is waiting for them if they can cut out the errors.

Uh-oh, Ramos' first miss of the day and he shakes his head afterwards. Both teams have missed out on three points now.

France finally get something back after 21 unanswered points from Fiji. Ramos slots a penalty and he's up to nine for the day.

Maxime Lamothe and Rodrigue Neti are on for Gros and Marchand.

France will surely grow back into the game soon, but Fiji have completely stymied and hampered France.

We've barely seen Ntamack command his side today and especially not in the last 20 minutes.

France finally have a chance with a rolling maul in their 22, but Fiji rip the ball and clear them back to the halfway line.

What a finish but Wainiqolo should NOT be able to do that. He steps inside and genuinely carries two French players with him over the line, just crazy power.

France are shell-shocked. Fiji's physicality is too much and France's defence is falling apart.

Kuruvoli takes over the kicking duties and Fiji are level, wow.