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France warm up for Twickenham with Tangiers win

France held off the stiff challenge of Kenya and then Tunisia to win the 2009 Tangier Sevens in Morocco at the weekend, in preparation for the critical finale to this seasons IRB Sevens World Series.

The sixth edition of the African tournament came just two weeks before the final chapter of the 2008/09 World Series in Europe comprising the Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham on 23-24 May and finally the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield on 30-31 May.

France went unbeaten in Morocco, seeing off the Ivory Coast, Uganda and Champion Scolaire in their pool on Friday, before beating Kenya 14-7 in the semi final and then 2007 champions Tunisia 19-12 to take the honours. Although the side in Morocco was made up of largely young players without experience in Sevens, the French were aided by the inclusion of Series regulars Matieu Acebes, Paul Albaladejo, Yohan Durquet and Marc Andreu.

The French currently lie 12th in the Series standings and face England, Samoa and Georgia on day one at Twickenham and even tougher opposition a week later at Murrayfield - leaders South Africa, defending champions New Zealand and the USA.

While the French were impressive in seeing off the Kenyans, who currently lie six places above them in the world list in sixth place, Tunisia also provided an upset by beating a strong South African side 26-21 to reach the final.

In the Plate trophy the team from the Languedoc region in France triumphed against SOOS 17-0 in the final after respective semi final wins over Alsace-Lorraine and the Ivory Coast.

Uganda beat hosts Morocco to the Bowl, the Cranes first seeing off debutants Algeria 17-5 before winning a tight final 12-7. In the Shield the Co Casa team from Casablanca beat Temara 29-0.