Fiji 7s W vs France 7s W

France struck first through centre Chloé Jacquet, who swatted off Fijian defenders and burst through the middle to dot down in the opening minutes. The conversion gave France a 7–0 lead at Stade de Bordeaux.

Fiji hit back before half-time. With France's Valentine Biscarat in the sin bin (yellow card), Fiji were reduced to six players, and Fiji exploited the extra space. A try under the posts levelled the scores at 7–7 at the break.

France emerged the sharper side after half-time. Scrum-half Valentine Biscarat, who had been sent to the sin bin in the first half, made amends with a superb solo try, changing direction to slice through the Fijian defence and restore France's lead.

The introduction of Alycia Christiaens off the bench proved decisive. The flier crossed for two second-half tries — the first off a sharp pass from Lilou Arbey, the second finished after Anne-Cécile N'Diaye streaked away and shipped the ball to Christiaens on the outside. Her double took her season tally to 35 tries, a new HSBC SVNS single-season record for a France women's player.

Fiji clawed one back late through Sulita Gallo after sustained pressure, but France held firm and closed out a 24–12 win to claim fifth place.

Biscarat's try early in the second half shifted the momentum decisively. France had looked nervy defending with six players while a player short in the first half, but the scrum-half's individual brilliance — shrugging off the yellow-card disappointment — restored their lead and settled the side. From that moment, France dominated territory and possession.

Alycia Christiaens (France) — Two tries off the bench, a new season record of 35, and the game-breaking impact that decided the play-off. Her pace and finishing were a level above.

Valentine Biscarat (France) — The scrum-half's solo try was the pivotal score of the match, and she controlled France's attacking tempo from the base.

Chloé Jacquet (France) — Returned from injury to score France's opener with a powerful individual run, setting the tone.

Sulita Gallo (Fiji) — A physical carrier who kept Fiji in the contest with a late try and strong work in contact.

France's 24–12 scoreline reflects a second-half dominance that the 7–7 half-time score did not foretell. France scored 17 unanswered points after the break before Fiji's late consolation. The key stat: Christiaens' 35 tries this season — more than any France women's player has managed in a single HSBC SVNS campaign. Fiji, who had won the last four head-to-head meetings before this play-off, were unable to contain France's bench impact.

France finish fifth in Bordeaux and fifth in the overall HSBC SVNS World Championship Series standings for 2026. Fiji finish sixth in the tournament and sixth overall. Both sides have qualified for next season's main HSBC SVNS Series, which will feature eight core teams: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, France, Fiji, Japan and Spain — with Great Britain relegated.

France's women ended a season of clear progress, with Christiaens' try record and a youthful squad gaining valuable experience against the world's best. Fiji will look to regroup after seeing their four-match unbeaten run against France snapped at the worst possible moment.

A one-sided second half masked an evenly contested first period. France's bench depth — particularly Christiaens — proved the difference, and the host nation signed off their season with a deserved victory in front of home supporters at Stade de Bordeaux.