France 15 Argentina 9:MORGAN PARRA kicked four penalties as France defeated Argentina in an error-strewn international clash in Monpellier on Saturday.

Outhalf Damien Traille added a drop goal in a stuttering performance by the Six Nations grand slam champions a week after a convincing victory against Fiji.

Felipe Contepomi kicked all the points for Argentina, who were dominated by the home side throughout the match, although they did threaten an upset in the closing stages.

The hosts – who face Australia at the Stade de France next Saturday – fought hard to clinch only their third win from 10 games against Argentina just five months after being thrashed 41-13 in Buenos Aires.

France defended well and proved more aggressive, with a convincing performance by Sebastien Chabal, who played as number eight for the first time since 2007. However, coach Marc Lievremont was repeatedly left frustrated as his players gave up the ball too many times.

“I have the feeling our first-half efforts have not been rewarded,” Lievremont said. “In the second half, our game just unravelled. We saw them believing (they could win) and we suffered physically after one hour.”

Captain Thierry Dusautoir said that France will have a lot of work to do before taking on Australia, whom they have not beaten since 2005.

“We won, it’s the most important thing but we have a lot of work ahead of us next week,” he said.

A Parra penalty put France ahead after 11 minutes, but Contepomi soon levelled before a mistake by the Argentine outhalf cost his side another penalty converted by Parra.

The Clermont number nine made it three successful penalties as the French pack proved much more aggressive than their opponents, putting the Argentine five on the back foot.

The visitors – who meet Ireland in Dublin next Sunday – were finding it hard to move away from their own try-line as France kept up the pressure, but they stayed in the contest with another Contepomi penalty after half-time.

However, Damien Traille added three points with a fine drop goal from 30 metres after an Aurelien Rougerie charge down the right wing put the hosts in a good position in Argentina’s half.

Outside centre Rougerie was again a threat down the flank, although he stepped out of bounds in yet another failed attempt by the French, though Parra continued to reward their efforts.

Contepomi again cancelled out a Parra score and Argentina then came close to a try when Gonzalo Camacho sped down the right only for the winger to be pushed into touch.

Argentina threw everything at France in the last few minutes as they enjoyed more possession, but the home side held on.

Fulgence Ouedraogo, meanwhile, has been named in the France squad to face Australia on Saturday, one week after being dropped for Les Bleus’ victory over Argentina.

The Montpellier flanker complained about being left out for the game against the Pumas, as it deprived him of a chance to wear the blue shirt in front of his home crowd at the Stade de la Mosson.

Ouedraogo, who played in France’s 34-12 defeat of Fiji, replaces Imanol Harinordoquy for this weekend’s game.

It is Lievremonts only change from the squad that defeated Argentina.

“It is tough for Imanol, although he still has our esteem,” Lievremont said. “He has not been that successful in the last two games. He was the captain against Fiji, then he started on the bench for the Argentina game, and now hes out.”

Didier Retiere, the coach in charge of France’s forwards, said Chabal’s fine performance as number eight against the Pumas added to the competition in the back row.

“Chabal confirmed all the good things he has been doing in the French league,” Retiere said. “He showed he was more than an impact player – or it is a long-lasting impact.”

FRANCE: Palisson, Huget, Rougerie, Jauzion, Andreu, Traille, Parra, Domingo, Servat, Mas, Pierre, Nallet, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Chabal. Replacements: Porical for Rougerie (78), Estebanez for Traille (77), Yachvili for Parra (77), Thion for Domingo (55), Guirado for Servat (65), Ducalcon for Pierre (55), Harinordoquy for Chabal (61).

ARGENTINA: Rodriguez, Camacho, Tiesi, Fernandez, Gonzalez Amorosino, Contepomi, Vergallo, Roncero, Ledesma, Scelzo, Galarza, Albacete, Fessia, de Achaval, Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: Bosch for Fernandez (66), Creevy for Ledesma (63), Ayerza for Scelzo (49), Galindo for Fessia (66), Carballo for de Achaval (41). Not used: Guzman, Lalanne.

Referee: J Kaplan(South Africa).