Pool C: France through to final four

France 10 Australia 3 (halftime)

Australia got stuck in from the off in attack with Sharni Williams powering forward in the early exchanges

A break from Sandrine Agricole almost took France to the line but for a great covering tackle but France did at least win a penalty allowing their flyhalf to boot it over for the opening points to give the French a 3-0 lead.

There was not an inch being given in the physicality stakes - Williams in particular with one massive hit which had even the French fans applauding.

Tricia Brown then had a dart down the wing but she was very well tacked  into touch by Camille Graissineau. Australia had a chance to level it after 14 minutes with a penalty from Ashleigh Hewson and she obliged to make it 3-3.

Agricole turned Australia with a superb dink through but when Australia won the ball, a brilliant break from Williams saw them gain 50 metres and it took Marjorie Mayans to stop a second break from the same player minutes later.

It was breathtaking at times from both sides - Australia playing the more expansive rugby but France really pushing hard in the scrum and the breakdown and turning ball over.

France’s heavier pack then started to take control and when Shannon Parry was yellow carded, a series of excellent drives up front saw the French forwards turn the screw. Agricole hit the post with a penalty but it didn't matter because France were awarded a penalty try and led 10-3 at the break.

France went to their pack in the second half early exchanges, driving mauls through the heart of the Australian defence.

They went back to some deftness then with Agricole putting through a lovely kick for Marion Lievre but Hewson did brilliantly to cover.  It was all France now as they pressed hard in the Australian 22, with Safi N’Diaye running over Louise Burrows. The pressure told and another massive French drive saw the entire pack drive over and score.

The excellent Agricole converted and France led 17-3.

The French pack continued to dominate and another excellent surge saw them within a metre but a huge hit from Williams again saw Australia turnover and clear.

Australia were defending gamely but France continued to pile on the pressure. They couldn't quite convert a couple of excellent opportunities though and Australia took some confidence in that working their way down field well. They had a golden opportunity to score but a spill a metre from the line saved France .

It didn't matter though as the clock wound down and France took the win.

Australia:1. Oneata Schwalger; 2. Louise Burrows; 3. Dan Meskell; 4. Rebecca Clough; 5. Alisha Hewett; 6. Shannon Parry (c); 7. Rebecca Smyth; 8. Mollie Gray; 9. Nita Maynard; 10. Tui Ormsby; 11. Natasha Haines; 12. Cobie-Jane Morgan; 13. Sharni Williams; 14. Tricia Brown; 15. Ashleigh Hewson; 16. Margaret Watson; 17. Liz Patu; 18. Caroline Vakalahi; 19. Michelle Milward; 20. Dalena Dennison; 21. Ashley Masters; 22. Hanna Sio

France:1. EZANNO Hélène Lille; 2. MIGNOT Gaëlle (c) Montpellier; 3. PORTARIES Elodie Montpellier; 4. DE NADAI Marine Montpellier; 5. KOÏTA Assa Bobigny; 6. DIALLO Coumba Bobigny; 7. ANDRE Manon Blagnac / Saint Orens; 8. N’DIAYE Safi Montpellier; 9. TRONCY Jennifer Montpellier; 10. AGRICOLE Sandrine Rennes; 11. GRASSINEAU Camille Bordeaux; 12. MAYANS Marjorie Blagnac / Saint Orens; 13. IZAR Shannon Lille; 14. LIEVRE Marion Bobigny; 15. LADAGNOUS Caroline Lons;Replacements; 16. SALLES Laetitia La Valette; 17. ARRICASTE Lise Lons; 18. CHOBET Christelle Lons; 19. RABIER Sandra Caen; 20. GRAND Laetitia Lons; 21. LEDUFF Christelle Perpignan; 22. POUBLAN Elodie Montpellier

Wales 35 South Africa 3

This game had significance because if either team won with a try bonus they would make the 5th/8thplayoffs. However, for much of the first half this looked unlikely. Neither team had scored a try in the tournament going into this game, and for the first 30 minutes it looked like that was not going to change. Play was almost entirely constrained between the two 22s and the teams took it in turns to hammer against some pretty solid looking defences.

Wales opeedn the scoring early on with a penalty, which was soon equalled by South Africa. A second Welsh penalty extended that lead – and then Elinor Snowsill added a drop goal (a remarkable event as there had been no drop goals at all at the 2010 World Cup). Shortly afterwards Snowsill narrowly missed a second attempt.

Then, just before halftime, came the breakthrough.

From a line out just outside the South African 22, the ball was quickly moved across the field and taken forward. At last Wales had a base to attack from. A try attempt was held up, and it seemed South Africa had won the resulting scrum – but Sioned Harries had other ideas, stealing the ball to touch down. At half time Wales lead 16-3.

The second half began with South Africa firmly camped in Wales’ half, but scoring opportunities repeatedly failed to go to hand as the Welsh defence held firm. Finally after 50 minutes Wales finally broke out – and gained an initiative that they would never lose. On 56 minutes it looked like Lauries Harries was though, but a despairing hand from the last defender just caught her. However Wales recycled patiently – and within a couple of minutes the try did come, with Jenny Davies in the corner.

Suddenly it seemed possible for Wales – but two more tries would be needed in 20 minutes. The clock ticked by, but Wales patiently kept possession and in the 74thminute Sioned Harries got the touchdown.

The final try was left until the final play. A scrum on the South African 5m failed to drive over, but the ball was worked wide to the right- and then back to the touchline where Sioned Harries was on hand again for the vital score.

Wales:1Megan York 2 Carys Phillips 3 Catrin Edwards 4 Jenny Hawkins 5 Shone Powell-Hughes 6 Catrina Nicholas  7 Rachel Taylor 8 Sioned Harries 9 Sian Moore 10 Elinor Snowsill 11 Dyddgu Hywel 12 Rebecca de Filippo 13 Robyn Wilkins14 Adi Taviner15 Laurie HarriesReplacements: 16Lowri Harries17 Jenny Davies 18 Cerys Hale 19 Sian Williams 20 Amy Day, 21 Eili Norkett 22 Raf Taylor

South Africa:1 – Nwabisa Ngxatu; 2 – Denita Wentzel; 3 – Cebisa Kula; 4 – Celeste Adonis; 5 – Nolusindiso Booi; 6 – Rachelle Geldenhuys; 7 – Andrea Mentoor; 8 – Lamla Momoti; 9 – Fundiswa Plaatjie; 10 – Zandile Nojoko; 11 – Phumeza Gadu; 12 – Lorinda Brown; 13 – Zenay Jordaan (capt); 14 – Siviwe Basweni; 15 – Cindy CantReplacements:; 16 – Thantaswa Macingwana; 17 – Portia Jonga; 18 – Vuyolwethu Vazi; 19 – Shona-Leah Weston; 20 – Tayla Kinsey; 21 –Veroeshka Grain; 22 – Sinazo Nobele;