France vs Tonga, Rugby World Cup 2019 LIVE result: Les Bleus survive Tonga scare to secure quarter-final berth

Follow all the live action from the Kumamoto Stadium

Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

France survived a serious scare from Tonga to progress through to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Kumamoto.

With the Pacific Islanders evoking memories of their triumph in New Zealand over the French eight years ago, Toutai Kefu's side pushed Les Bleus all the way, falling by two points as France secured a tight 23-21 victory,

France have thus secured qualification for the knockout stages, but another lacklustre showing leaves them looking vulnerable ahead of a Pool C decider against England, and likely quarter-final meeting with Wales. Relive all of the action as it happened below:

What time is it?

France vs Tonga kicks off at 4.45pm Japan Standard Time, which is 8.45am BST, on Sunday 6 October.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be broadcast on ITV, with coverage starting at 8.15am. Alternatively, you can live stream it via the ITV Hub on your smartphone, laptop and tablet.

Key Points

• France XV: Medard; Penaud, Vakatawa, Guitoune, Raka; Ntamack, Serin; Poirot, Chat, Slimani, Gabrillagues, Vahaamahina, Lauret, Ollivon, Alldritt.
• Tonga XV: Veainu, Vuna, Hingano, Piutau, Halaifonua; Faiva, Takulua; Fisi'ihoi, Ngauamo, Fia; Lousi, Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.

[6 October 2019 10:42 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A nation exhales in relief. France tried their very best to give a superb Tonga the game with another flat second half, but Jacques Brunel's side just about cling on for victory, and progress through to the quarter-finals.

You have to feel for Tonga - they were brilliant in that second 40 and will be so disappointed to have missed out on the win by such a small margin.

[6 October 2019 10:47 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

61% of possession for Tonga, and so near to another shock victory over France. That was a brutal affair in Kumamoto, which France have survived by the skin of their teeth.

Alivereti Raka is the official man of the match, but France have problems to figure out. A lot of problems. Romain Ntamack was poor at fly-half, the pack were largely out-muscled and they were completely unable to get the ball wide in the second half. England will be licking their lips, you'd think, and Wales too if Warren Gatland's side top Pool D as expected.

[6 October 2019 10:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[6 October 2019 11:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[6 October 2019 12:26 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

That's all from us here today.

France are through, then, but thoroughly unimpressive on their way to victory. Three wins from three, and a chance to top the pool with a win in their next fixture against England next weekend.

I've been Harry Latham-Coyle for The Independent - thank you for joining me.