Rugby Union

Late French fightback breaks RAF hearts in Le Crunch

22nd October 2026 at 5:53pm

A spirited RAF fightback threatened France’s unbeaten run, but two late tries kept Les Bleus on top in Le Crunch (Video: BFBS)

Le Crunch lived up to its name as the RAF rugby union team fell to a 25-15 defeat against the French Air and Space Force in a bruising contest at StoneX Stadium.

The French flew out of the blocks to lead 11-0, but the RAF fought back to move four points clear with less than 10 minutes remaining.

But the hosts couldn’t hold on, as two late tries sealed victory for Les Bleus in North London, maintaining their unbeaten run since 2017.

France dominated the opening exchanges, repeatedly threatening the RAF try line. Their pressure paid off after 10 minutes, when skipper Marvin Petit powered over for an unconverted try before a penalty a few minutes later put his side eight points ahead.

The contest remained fiercely physical, but neither side could find a breakthrough, and with just under 10 minutes left in the half, Alan Charrier was shown a yellow card after a string of French indiscretions.

Despite being a man down, it was the French who struck next. They won possession from the resulting line-out and launched a free-flowing counter-attack. Although they couldn’t finish the move with a try, they extended their lead with another three points.

The Air Force had been impressive from set pieces in the first half and finally got their reward in the closing minutes. A clever move off the back of a maul saw hooker James Roberts receive the ball as he barrelled towards the line. His dummy created half a yard of space before he powered over for the RAF’s first try, leaving them trailing 11-5 at half-time.

Neither side relented after the break, and the opening 20 minutes passed without a score. Kyle Smith eventually converted a penalty from in front of the posts to narrow the gap.

The sides remained locked together until the RAF took the lead for the first time with less than 10 minutes remaining. After sustained pressure in the French half, Ollie Williams crashed over under the posts, and Smith’s conversion put the RAF 15-11 ahead.

But the RAF’s lead lasted only moments.

France won a penalty from the restart, kicked for touch and drove a maul over from the resulting line-out to reclaim the lead.

France sealed the win in the closing minutes, winning a scrum against the head on the RAF’s five-metre line allowing scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Payre to dart over in the corner to make it 25-15.