Rugby World Cup 2015: Michalak stars for France during their bonus point win over Canada

FIVE-EIGHTH Frederic Michalak has led France to their third straight World Cup win accounting for Canada 41-18, and in the process claiming a five-try bonus point.

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Wesley Fofana of France breaks through the Canada defence to score his team's opening try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between France and Canada at Stadium mk on October 1, 2015 in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

FRANCE became the first team through to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after scoring five tries in a 41-18 win against Canada in their pool D match at Milton Keynes.

Veteran lock Pascal Pape got the all-important fourth try and the bonus point that France - runner-up four years ago to New Zealand - needed to reach the last eight.

France will be aiming to beat Ireland in its last game to secure top spot in pool D and avoid a likely showdown with the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.

Despite the full-time score, it was a somewhat patchy performance from France and the only safe bet was the accurate kicking of veteran fly-half Frederic Michalak.

The 32-year-old Michalak converted the first four tries and added two penalties on his way to becoming his country’s highest World Cup scorer with 136 points.

He made his World Cup debut in 2003.

Frederic Michalak lines up a conversion during France’s comfortable victory over Canada at Milton Keynes.

Michalak went off near the end and was replaced by Morgan Parra - a mainstay from the 2011 squad - who then helped to set up winger Remy Grosso for a try on his test debut as Canada played the last 10 minutes with 14 players after Nanyak Dala was sin-binned.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre will be pleased with a fifth straight win, but will be seeking answers as to why his team switched off in the first half.

The French appeared to be in complete control at 17-0 after tries from center Wesley Fofana and hooker Guilhem Guirado, but Canada rallied with two quick tries.

Left winger DTH Van Der Merwe crossed out wide and hooker Aaron Carpenter bulldozed over the creaking French line on the right.

Canada celebrates DTH van der Merwe’s first half try.

That stirred France back into action.

The French won a penalty at the end of the half, but Michalak chose an attacking line-out instead of a shot at goal. The move paid off, the French rolling maul proved too strong and prop Rabah Slimani ducked in to pad out the lead to 24-12.

After a slow start to the second half, Michalak booted France further in front after Canada kicked two penalties.

But Canada couldn’t go with France until the end; Les Bleus adding two tries.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Michalak stars for France during their bonus point win over Canada