France ran in three late tries against the US on Wednesday to earn a vital bonus point in the Rugby World Cup "group of death" with an erratic 33-9 win.

"Les Bleus" were just 12-9 ahead with 13 minutes to go before Gael Fickou, Baptiste Serin and Jefferson Poirot dotted down to secure victory against the underdogs.

It was the type of inconsistent performance followers of French rugby have seen all too frequently – breathtaking flair let down by a raft of handling errors.

But the bonus point keeps up the pressure on old enemy England, who play Argentina on Saturday in another Pool C clash of heavyweights.