Srekla kicked nine points for France

France gained a modicum of revenge for last year's two World Cup defeats by Argentina as they won in Paris.

In a scrappy game, a penalty by Benoit Baby and two from fly-half David Skrela, the last one two minutes from time, provided decisive for the French.

Skrela also kicked a drop-goal, with Argentina scoring from two Felipe Contepomi first-half penalties.

France full-back Maxime Medard came close to a second-half try before he was tackled by Contepomi.

In last year's World Cup France were beaten by the Pumas in the opening game of the tournament and then in the third-place play-off.

France now face the Pacific Islanders next week in Sochaux before hosting Australia at the Stade de France. Argentina will travel to Italy and Ireland.

France: Medard, Malzieu, Jauzion, Baby, Heymans, Skrela, Elissalde, Barcella, Szarzewski, Lecouls, Millo-Chulski, Nallet, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Picamoles.
Replacements: Sebastien Chabal, Benjamin Kayser, Alexis Palisson, Morgan Parra, Nicolas Mas.
Not Used: Kayser, Mas, Chabal, Ouedraogo, Parra, Traille,Palisson.

Argentina: Stortoni, Leonelli, Tiesi, Contepomi, Agulla, Hernandez, Vergallo, Roncero, Ledesma, Orlandi, Alvarez, Albacete, Durand, Galindo, Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Alejandro Campos, Federico Martin-Aramburu, Marcos Ayerza, Esteban Lozada.
Not Used: Basualdo, Ayerza, Lozada, Campos, Figuerola, Aramburu, Carballo.

Ref: Steve Walsh (New Zealand).

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