Nations Cup: France fail to follow the script.

Considering the Canadians have not beaten France since 1998 the almost universal assumption that they would beat (and beat quite easily) their international nemesis seems odd. But the fact is that France have, over the past few years, been in a downward spiral. After finishing fourth in the last Six Nations behind Ireland and Wales, their performance in the first round against South Africa did not hint at any improvements while accounts of their second-half performance against England appears give the impression that they demonstrated all the defensive capabilities of a colander.

So - even with Canada resting a number of players from their first game - it didn't appear that they had much to fear. An early French lead from a penalty was soon overturned by a Canadian try and the crowd and commentary team settled down to wait for the inevitable Canuk points fest.

It didn't come.

What did come was a second French penalty. And then a third. France were ahead again and things were getting tense. Passes were not going to hand, and the French seem to have learnt how to defend.

Half time came at 9-7. And so it stayed in a stalemate, broken only by another French penalty. More and more desperate Canadian play - but to no avail. Even with France reduced to 14 players for the final five minutes Canada never really looked like breaking through and France pulled off a famous victory.

The earlier game went far more to plan - USA beating South Africa 39-0, and rarely being troubled. No more to be said really.

So - aside from England sailing to the title - the battle for second place is now as wide open which should mean an exciting climax to what has been an interesting tournament. Round 4 is on Wednesday - but for now the standings are:

Position	Nation	Games				Points		Bonus points[2]		Table points
		played	won	drawn	lost	for	against	Tries	Losing
1	England	2	2	0	0	79	15	2	0	10
2	France	3	1	1	1	37	67	0	0	6
3	Canada	2	1	0	1	42	29	1	1	6
4	United States	2	1	0	1	46	36	1	0	5
5	South Africa	3	0	1	2	34	91	0	0	2

Games to come:

Wednesday: England v South Africa; Canada v USA

Saturday: France v USA; Canada v England