'Most epic match ever' sees Fiji claim first rugby win over France

Fiji has shocked rugby fans after securing its first win against France in what it described as the "most epic match ever."

The Pacific nation's rugby union team made the claim on Twitter after the gutsy 21-14 victory at Paris's Stade de France on Saturday.

"The defensive effort and the heart showing across this enormous match was simply sensational," Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) added online, noting that the upset came in the side's 10th match against the French.

Fiji has experienced stunning success in recent years in the Sevens version of the code, including its men's side winning the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

But the 15-a-side version of the code has struggled, not least because so many of its players play for wealthy European clubs and cannot train together regularly.

The chance for change, however, must have been on the Fijians' minds on Saturday at half-time as they headed to the sheds down just 14-12.

They embraced the challenge and kept the French scoreless after the break, with the reliable boot of flyhalf Ben Volavola adding three penalties including one in the 81st minute.

The win, which World Rugby described on Twitter as "historic," saw Fiji claim its biggest scalp, with France having been runner-up at three Rugby World Cups.

Following the win, FRU retweeted an unverified account's claim that Fiji had jumped from 10th to 8th in the world rankings while France slipped from 8th to 10th.

World Rugby will officially update its rankings Monday.