France delivered an impressive performance by defeating Japan 52-12 during their return to the Stade de France on Saturday. This match served as a perfect preparation for their upcoming clash with New Zealand.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Paul Boudehent stood out as the players of the match, each scoring two tries. Other contributors to the scoreline included Emilien Gailleton, Alexandre Roumat, Peato Mauvaka, and Jean-Baptiste Gros, while Thomas Ramos successfully converted six tries, marking France’s largest victory over Japan in an official test.
In the first half, Japan struggled significantly, heading into the break with a 31-0 deficit. Although they managed to score two tries in the second half through Harumichi Tatekawa and Tevita Tatafu, it was not enough to turn the tide. This defeat marked Japan’s sixth consecutive loss since Eddie Jones returned as coach at the end of last year.
French scrumhalf Antoine Dupont made a highly-anticipated comeback to the team, having missed the Six Nations to prepare for the Paris Olympics with the Rugby Sevens squad. The match was also their first at the Stade de France since last year’s World Cup quarter-finals, where they suffered a narrow defeat against South Africa.
The French team displayed remarkable dominance throughout the match, illustrating the challenges Japan will face in their pursuit of becoming a top-four side under Jones’s leadership.
The match began with Bielle-Biarrey scoring first by capitalizing on his own kick, followed swiftly by Gailleton’s try from a well-placed cross-kick by Ramos. As the first half progressed, France showcased their attacking prowess, with further tries from Roumat, another by Bielle-Biarrey, and scores from Mauvaka and Gros, all aided by the creative input of Dupont.
In a brief moment of hope for Japan, Tatekawa scored, but France quickly regained momentum with try contributions from Boudehent before wrapping up the game with a final score from Tatafu.
In summary, France’s convincing victory reflects their continued development as a rugby powerhouse, while Japan faces the challenge of rebuilding under a new regime. With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, France’s form brings optimism for their future matches and showcases their potential to be serious contenders.
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