Both Frances tries showed their resilience, coming hard on the heels of Australian scores.

Nicolas Brusque and Frederic Michalak touched over, and although they did not cross the Australian line in the second half, five Jean-Baptiste Elissalde penalties reflected their dominance.

After Michalak missed an easy penalty attempt, Matt Giteau opened the scoring after eighth minutes with a 38-metre kick.

Frances response was almost immediate. Tony Marsh intercepted and set up a counter-attack, which Nicolas Brusque ended by powering over the try-line.

Elissalde then missed the conversion and Michalak also failed to add with a poor drop-goal effort minutes later.
Giteau put over a penalty to give the Wallabies a one-point lead on the half-hour mark.

The home side worked hard to gain the territory, but were frustrated as George Gregan crossed for a five-pointer.

For the second time in the half, France responded with a try of their own.

Olivier Magne did the initial work, and from the second phase Michalak darted through to touch down.

This time, Elissalde added the conversion to send the French in 12-11 ahead at the break.

Giteau was replaced after the restart by Elton Flatley, by which time Elissalde had kicked over to extend the lead.

But Flatley converted a penalty from 42 metres to serve notice that the Australians were not out of it.

Elissalde kicked his third penalty before Latham committed a crucial error with seven minutes left.

Holding on to the ball too long when fielding a Michalak kick, he allowed Elissalde another opportunity. His penalty extended the lead to 10 points.

And the scrum-half landed another effort following a George Smith shoulder charge, as the hosts enjoyed another triumph in Paris.

France: Nicolas Brusque; Aurelien Rougerie, Tony Marsh, Damien Traille, Cedric Heymans; Frederic Michalak, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde; Olivier Magne, Imanol Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen; Jerome Thion, Fabien Pelous; Sylvain Marconnet , William Servat, Olivier Milloud.

Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Steven Larkham, George Gregan; Bill Young, Jeremy Paul, Alastair Baxter, Justin Harrison, Daniel Vickerman, George Smith, Phil Waugh, John Roe.