France delivered a stunning performance against Japan, securing a dominant 52-12 victory in front of their home crowd at Stade de France. This match, held on Saturday, served as a preparatory game ahead of their highly anticipated clash with New Zealand next week.
The standout player of the match was Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who alongside teammate Paul Boudehent, scored two tries each. Additional tries were scored by Emilien Gailleton, Alexandre Roumat, Peato Mauvaka, and Jean-Baptiste Gros, while Thomas Ramos successfully converted six attempts, marking France’s largest win over Japan in an official match.
Japan struggled throughout the game, going into halftime trailing 31-0. In the second half, they managed to score two tries courtesy of Harumichi Tatekawa and Tevita Tatafu, with Naoto Saito converting one. This result marks Japan’s sixth consecutive loss under coach Eddie Jones’s leadership.
French scrumhalf Antoine Dupont made his return, after missing the Six Nations in order to prepare for the Paris Olympics Rugby Sevens team, which he led to gold. The match provided a timely boost for Dupont and his teammates as they returned to the Stade de France after their narrow defeat to South Africa in the World Cup last year.
The first half was a display of offensive prowess from France, showcasing the challenges Japan faces in enhancing their status as a competitive rugby nation. The match illuminated the significant effort required for Japan to achieve their aspiration of becoming a top-four team under Jones’s guidance.
In summary, France’s commanding win not only reaffirms their strength ahead of the Rugby World Cup but also demonstrates the depth of talent within their squad. As they prepare to face New Zealand, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the French team’s potential for success on the world stage.
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