The first ever meeting between France and Greece took place at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster as the side ranked eleventh in the World faced the side ranked thirteen for what on paper looked like it would be a walkover for the French side.
Laurent Frayssinous seventeen was packed full of household names as most of the team were derived from the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique sides, along with a handful of other players plying their trade at English Super League clubs.
The bookies had given Greece a twenty-four point start on the handicap coupon in this Group A game as they took part in their first ever World Cup game after qualifying for the first time. England fans had a big interest in checking out the two remaining sides that they have left to play in their group.
Greece were on the back foot from the first whistle but it took eight minutes for France to take the lead, Jordan Dezaria stepping out of a tackle and stretching to ground in the line. Arthur Mourgue added the conversion from in front of the sticks for 6-0.
Mickael Goudemand was tackled high on twenty-two, twelve metres out from the Greece sticks, and Mourgue took the opportunity to extend the lead to eight points.
There were thirty minutes on the clock when France got their second try, a scruffy affair, Tony Gigot getting to a bouncing Mourgue grubber after Greece failed to knock the ball dead in their own goal area. Mourgue added a third goal of the night for 14-0.
After conceding a penalty for a late hit on the kicker, Greece were punished again as on the third tackle Benjamin Jullien went through the Greek line to ground. Mourgue was again on target for 20-0, the French pulling clear as half time approached.
Mourgue added a try to his goals within seven minutes of the restart when he took a Goudemand pass to go in from three metres, tackled onto his back but reaching down to ground. The French stand-off added the conversion for 26-0.
On fifty-five the Greeks got their first try of the World Cup with Sitene Taukomo getting on the end of a Jordan Meads grubber to scoop up the ball and dive over in the corner. Lachlan Ilias added the conversion for 6-26.
With twenty-five minutes on the second half clock Greece were level in the second half with France at 6-6, an amazing achievement.
Back-to-back penalties saw France take the opportunity to kick a penalty goal to slow the game down, Mourgue kicking slotting his kick between the uprights for 28-6 with thirteen minutes remaining.
Jullien got his second try five minutes from the final hooter as the ball was moved swiftly from left to right, the second-rower in an ocean of space as Greece tired after a sterling effort. Mourgue added a seventh goal of the night for 34-6.
A minute from time Greece went in for their second of the night, Nicholas Mougios taking a cross field kick and outpacing and outsmarting the chasing defenders to go over in the corner. Ilias added the conversion for a final score of 34-12.
France negotiated a testing encounter against a dedicated Greece side who played their hearts out for their country and will be very pleased with their performance. Greece had some great moments in attack, but a few rudimentary defensive errors cost them dearly. France will need to improve against England and Samoa if they are to make the knock-out stages, Greece will enjoy the experience of their two remaining games and the new friends and admirers that they will make.
France: Escare, Romano, Langi, Laguerre, Taha, Mourgue (T, 7G), Gigot (T), Dezaria (T), Da Costa, Belmas, Jullien (2T), Seguier, Garcia. Subs: Pelissier, Sangare, Le Cam, Goudemand.
Greece: Robinson, Taukamo (T), Constantinou, Mougios (T), Mitsias, Ilias (2G), Meads, Tuliatu, Mamouzelos, Sell, Zampetides, Flocas, Magoullias. Subs: Kambos, Gal, Nianiakas, Dardamanis.
Half-Time: 20-0.
Full-Time: 34-12.
Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 8-0, 12-0, 14-0, 18-0, 20-0 : HT : 24-0, 26-0, 26-4, 26-6, 28-6, 32-6, 34-6, 34-10, 34-12 : FT .
Lead Exchanges: France.
Referee: Adam Gee.
Attendance: 4,182 at the Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster.
