France clinched emphatic victory over debutant Greece in the Rugby League World Cup.

Rugby General

France clinched emphatic victory over debutant Greece in the Rugby League World Cup.

France made kick-off start in the World Cup campaign with an emphatic 34-12 victory over competition debutants Greece at Eco-Power Stadium.

Halfback Arthur Mourgue scored 18 points from a second half try and seven goals in France's first World Cup victory since 2013.

Anthony Morgue converted and then extended his side’s lead with a penalty goal in the 23rd minute after Nicholas Flocas was pinged for a high tackle.

It was the 55th minute that marked a moment of history for international rugby league. Greece halfback Jordan Meads produced a perfectly weighted grubber to the corner to find winger Siteni Taukami to score his country's first World Cup points.

Greece continued to fight to the end and Nick Mougious grabbed an 80th minute runaway tries to reduce the deficit 34-12 and bring the Greece fans to their feet in Doncaster.