On the day the two rivals were named in the same Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 pool, Canada secured a confidence-boosting first victory over France for 11 years at the Stade Bourillion in Dijon.
Beaten by France in the third place play-off at the last two Women's Rugby World Cups and more recently 12-7 in the Nations Cup in August, Canada scored two second half tries to win the first of two tests in four days 14-5.
The first half was a stop-start affair with handling errors and penalties preventing either side from gaining any real momentum and as a result the half time whistle blew with not a point on the scoreboard.
France had enjoyed a slight advantage with possession in the first half, but failed to turn it into points and were made to pay for that when Canada's players began to dominate the breakdown and one-on-one contests.
Ten minutes after the restart the breakthrough finally came when second row Araba Chintoh, making her return to international rugby after a five-year absence, dived over following a 20-metre break by scrum half Julia Suguwara from a turnover.
Cheryl Phillips had been one of Canada's standout players despite playing out of position at outside centre, particularly for her defensive play in stopping several scoring opportunities for France and was rewarded with her side's second try.
No comparisons
Debutant Andrea Burk converted both tries with Fanny Horta claiming a late consolation try for France after they had introduced some key impact players which will make Canada wary for the second test on Saturday.
"The girls put the plan into action. We said we were going to use our attacking defence to create opportunities and we did just that. We kept France on their back foot with our aggression," said coach Johnathan Long.
"Once they put in their key players, they're top notch. The fly half and full back have a tremendous kicking game so we have to be prepared for that come Saturday. It's going to be a huge aspect of the game."
The victory was also Canada captain Mario Gallo's first over France after being part of the losing side at the last two Women's Rugby World Cups.
"I've never beaten France. It feels so amazing, but we're not the same team we were four years ago, you can't even compare," admitted the 48-cap veteran.
Canada and France, who have been drawn in Pool C with Sweden and Scotland at WRWC 2010, will meet again on Saturday at the Stade de France in a curtain raiser to the French men's encounter with Samoa.
France: 1. Stephanie Loyer 2. Clemence Olivier 3. Sandrine Legros 4. Clemence Audebert 5. Carole Lignon 6. Sylvie Bernard 7. Lucie Canal 8. Manon Andre 9. Stephanie Provost (captain) 10. Cindy Reynaud 11. Fanny Griselin 12. Celine Heguy 13. Fanny Horta 14. Hayate Chrouki 15. Anais Lagougine.
Replacements: 16. Laetitia Salles 17. Nadege Labbey 19. Sandra Rabier 20. Marie Alice Yahe 21. Aurelie Bailon 22. Sandrine Agricole.
Canada: 1. Tabitha Stavrou 2. Brandi van Eeuwen 3. Corinne Jacobsen 4. Araba Chintoh 5. Paige Burdett 6. Heather Jaques 7. Shannon Kane 8. Barbara Mervin 9. Julia Sugawara 10. Anna Schnell 11. Andrea Burk 12. Maria Gallo (captain) 13. Cheryl Phillips 14. Julianne Zussman 15. Darcy Patterson.
Replacements: 16. Marlene Donaldson 17. Kim Donaldson 18. Kelly Russell 19. Megan Gibbs 20. Laura Stoughton 21. Sarah Ulmer 22. Brooke Hilditch.