They then had an anxious wait for the result between Argentina and Ireland to discover whether they would top Pool D and stay in Paris or go to Cardiff for a quarter-final against New Zealand.

The French forwards were enjoying themselves and when they earned a penalty five metres from the Georgia line they opted for the scrum, easily heaving Georgia back over the line where Lionel Nallet fell on the ball to take France past the half century.

Remy Martin added the eighth try after a flowing move and it was becoming something of a slaughter in the Marseille sun.

At last in the 72nd minute, however, Georgia earned the reward for their persistence when Zviad Maisuradze crossed from close range, Malkhaz Urjukashvili adding the conversion.

It all ended on a sour note, however, when Revez Gigauri became the second Georgian to be sin-binned for a spear tackle on Martin, swiftly followed by Frances ninth try from Julien Bonnaire.