France show they are too strong for Scotland in the opening Group B match of Rugby League’s World Cup in Canberra.

Scotland’s Jonathan Steel cancelled out an early Jared Taylor try, but Jerome Guisset and John Wilson gave the French a comfortable 18-6 half-time lead. The second half and the Scots did not give up as Oliver Wilkes and Dean Colton twice cut the deficit but Sebastien Raguin ensured France remained a score ahead. Guisset added a superb effort five minutes from time and Christophe Moly wrapped things up for the French. Final score:

Scotland 18 France 36

Scorers

Scotland
Tries: Steel, Wilkes, Colton Goals: Brough 3
France
Tries: Taylor, Guisset 2, Wilson, Raguin, Moly Goals: Bosc 6
France next face Fiji on Saturday, while Scotland will look to get their first win against the same opponents on 5 November.

Teams

Scotland: M Robertson (Manly); D Colton (Doncaster), G Cowan (Wests Tigers), K Henderson (Wakefield), J Steel (Hull KR); J Duffy (Widnes), D Brough (Wakefield, capt); S Logan (Canberra), I Henderson (New Zealand Warriors), P Jackson (Huddersfield), I Morrison (Widnes), D MacGillivray (Wakefield), L Patterson (Widnes).
Subs: O Wilkes (Wakefield), C Armit (Canterbury), M Nanyn (Oldham), A Henderson (Gateshead).

France (Catalans players unless stated): J Taylor (Lezignan); J Murphy, J Wilson, S Raguin, T Sadaoui (Carcassonne); T Bosc, M Greseque (Pia); A Fellous (Lezignan), J Rinaldi (Harlequins), O Elima, J Guisset (capt), E Anselme (Leeds), G Mounis.
Subs: J Wynne (Lezignan), R Casty, J Fakir, C Moly (Carcassonne).