France 52 Japan 12
Antoine Dupont celebrated his return as captain and his scoring touch was not even needed as eight-try France routed Japan 52-12 on Saturday.
Les Tricolores crushed the Brave Blossoms at Stade de France, with left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring two tries in a totally one-sided first half and replacement flanker flanker Paul Boudehent grabbing two in the second half.
Dupont came back to XVs in the stadium where he inspired France to a gold medal in sevens at the Paris Olympics. But it was also where he experienced heartbreak as France agonizingly lost by one point to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals one year ago.
“It’s such a pleasure to reunite with the French team and the French fans,” Dupont said. “We were all hungry and wanted to play well. We were a bit sloppy at times which meant we weren’t efficient for the whole game.”
But Eddie Jones’ Japan provided little resistance and was especially exposed around the rucks.
After Bielle-Biarrey’s unconverted opener, Dupont passed exquisitely out the back of his hand on a counterruck to No. 8 Grégory Alldritt. He fed flyhalf Thomas Ramos and his kick to the left corner was grabbed by center Émilien Gailleton for a converted try and 12-0.
France was on its way to five tries before the break, with flanker Alexandre Roumat celebrating his first international try after collecting Bielle-Biarrey’s pass.
Bielle-Biarrey dived into the left corner for his second followed by prolific hooker Peato Mauvaka crashing over in the right corner for his 10th international try.
The French were in no mood to relent, and prop Jean-Baptiste Gros helped himself to the team’s sixth try early in the second half, converted by Ramos to leave Japan facing a chilling 38-0 deficit with ages left to play.
After a Dupont try was ruled out by a knock-on by right winger Théo Attissogbe, the visitors finally got on the scoreboard when Harumichi Tatekawa crossed for a converted try.
Japan grabbed another through Tevita Tatafu when he intercepted Matthieu Jalibert’s sloppy pass and charged into the left corner, despite Bielle-Biarrey’s last-gasp tackle.
Either side of that, Boudehent burrowed over twice.
France stays at Stade de France next Saturday and faces New Zealand.
“We need to be a bit more serious in certain phases of play because we have a massive challenge coming next week,” Bielle-Biarrey said.
Less than two hours before kickoff, the French Rugby Federation announced that star winger Damian Penaud — France’s record try scorer with 36 — was ruled out with Attissogbe replacing him on the right wing. No reason was given for Penaud’s absence.
10:31 PM GMT
Another impressive display from Dupont
10:24 PM GMT
France thank home crowd
The hosts went on the road after the World Cup last year due to Paris building up to the Olympics but they were happy to be back at the Stade de France tonight and an emphatic win to boot.
10:22 PM GMT
The thoughts of Japan head coach Eddie Jones
“First half physically we did not cope with France. They blew us off the park but I am really pleased with the effort of the young lads in the second half. They tried to play how we want to play and we had some good pieces of play. We need to do more of that and it is a good lesson for them.
“We have a team out there with 250 caps at the moment and they are just learning about the game. The atmosphere tonight for some of those young kids I think overwhelmed them a bit at the start but you have to keep taking your lessons, and some of them are hard.
“Uruguay have been one of the most positive teams over the last two World Cups. They are really positive and we are looking forward to it.
10:17 PM GMT
Up next
For France their next game is against New Zealand next Saturday before taking on Argentina in two weeks.
Japan take on Uruguay next weekend before playing England in a couple of weeks.
10:07 PM GMT
Full-time
France attempt a similar move to the one that Mauvaka scored from a line-out earlier but Marchand is tackled into touch. That is it and France have won with ease 52-12. Japan were never really in that match and it was very, very comfortable for France.
10:05 PM GMT
79 mins: France 52 Japan 12
Ramos pulls off a terrific 50-22 and France will have one last attack tonight.
10:05 PM GMT
78 mins: France 52 Japan 12
France are offside and Japan have a penalty advantage. It has been a dominant performance from the French tonight but they will want to improve their discipline over the coming weeks.
They get all the way into the France 22 once again but are penalised at the crucial moment.
10:03 PM GMT
77 mins: France 52 Japan 12
Into the last few minutes we go. Will we see one final flourish in Paris tonight?
10:01 PM GMT
75 mins: France 52 Japan 12
Once again Japan enter into France 22’s and come within 10 metres of the French line but a great counter-ruck by the hosts wins them back possession.
09:59 PM GMT
73 mins: France 52 Japan 12
Japan make great ground all the way into the France 22 after a series of neat offloads but just as a chance may be about to come they are penalised and France can exit their 22.
09:52 PM GMT
66 mins: France 52 Japan 12
Dupont’s night is over and a pretty decent return to the France XV’s side for the scrum-half. He is quite good isn’t he! Lucu is on in his place.
09:51 PM GMT
TRY! Another for Boudehent
Mauvaka is picked out on the left-hand touchline with a crossfield kick and he nearly finishes off the try like a winger. France then move it all the way across to the other side, where eventually Boudehent goes over for his second of the night. Attissogbe came very close to getting to the line and actually did well to keep it in play to allow Boudehent to then score. Ramos lands the conversion and France are past the 50-point mark.
09:49 PM GMT
63 mins: France 45 Japan 12
Japan’s number 20 Tatafu, who plays his club rugby at Bordeaux, has made a big impact for the visitors since he came on but his night is over, limping off injured.
09:47 PM GMT
TRY! Tatafu gets Japan’s second on the night
Tatafu was denied moments ago but he will not be denied this time. France have numbers down the right and Tatafu takes a risk by stepping forward and trying for the intercept but he suceeds in doing so. He was being chased down by Bielle-Biarrey but, despite the best efforts of the France winger, he reaches out after being tackled and dots down. The conversion is then missed.
09:45 PM GMT
60 mins: France 45 Japan 7
Japan think they have their second try of the night at the back of the maul through Tatafu but, after a TMO review, the try is chalked off as it is adjudged to have been held up over the line. Japan had been getting ready to take the conversion but not to be for the visitors.
09:41 PM GMT
59 mins: France 45 Japan 7
Mauvaka fails to roll away in time and then Alldritt is at fault for another penalty. France have received a warning for their discipline. Japan go to the corner again…
09:40 PM GMT
58 mins: France 45 Japan 7
Japan have possession inside the France 22 and have a penalty for offside. No point in going for the posts so they go to the corner.
09:37 PM GMT
TRY! Boudehont powers over after Dupont brilliance
That is so Dupont. France have a penalty advantage from a scrum inside their own half. Dupont breaks and gets all the way into the Japan 22. For a moment it looked like he might go all the way. Just a few phases later, after a strong carry by Colombe, Boudehont goes over. Ramos lands the conversion and France lead 45-7.
09:32 PM GMT
52 mins: France 38 Japan 7
Tatekawa has had to go off. France have decided to bring Jalibert on at fly-half, so Ramos has switched from 10 to 15.
09:32 PM GMT
TRY! Japan finally get on the scoresheet
They have been dominated tonight but finally they have their first try of the night. Riley offloads to Naikabula as Japan make great progress down the field. It is shifted out to the left, where Tatekawa is the man who finishes off in the corner despite the best efforts of Dupont. The conversion, which Tatekawa did not take as he was injured in scoring that try, is landed by Saito.
09:27 PM GMT
48 mins: France 38 Japan 0
Dupont goes over for a try but how has that been given? There was a clear knock-on and maybe even a forward pass in there. France work it down the right and Moefana offloads it inside to Attissogbe. That pass looked forward but then the ball goes forward off Attissogbe’s hands into the path of Dupont. Fortunately common sense prevails as the TMO steps in and the try is chalked off.
09:24 PM GMT
46 mins: France 38 Japan 0
Japan make good progress towards the France 22 but their progress is stopped as France win a scrum with an unplayable ball. That comes across as slightly inconsistent; that was called a maul yet just a few minutes ago when France were in possession it was not.
09:20 PM GMT
TRY! Gros powers over
It has taken France just two minutes into this second half to score. They have a penalty advantage around five metres out. Dupont picks from the base of the ruck and times his pass to Gros to perfection, with the loosehead prop finding his way to the try line. The conversion from Ramos is successful and France lead 38-0.
09:19 PM GMT
41 mins: France 31 Japan 0
Japan are penalised for not rolling away just outside their own 22. That looked a very harsh decision as it appeared that it was a maul so Japan would be entitled not to roll away but the referee deemed it a ruck so thus the penalty. They go to the corner…
09:17 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way in Paris.
09:11 PM GMT
Jones reunion
After tonight, Japan will play Uruguay next weekend before their final game of 2024, which will take place in a couple of weeks when they play at Twickenham against England, one of Eddie Jones’ former teams.
09:10 PM GMT
Gulf in class
France have scored some fantastic tries in that first half but it has been easy for them at times. This sort of scoreline is not necessarily a massive surprise but you would hope and expect in international rugby for it to be more of a competition. Can Japan offer more in the second half or will it be more of the same?
09:02 PM GMT
Half-time
Japan have a penalty that they try to kick into the France 22 but they miss touch, giving Barre the simple task of kicking the ball out of play himself to end the first half. That missed kick probably sums up that first half for Japan. France are in complete and utter control of this match, leading 31-0 at the break.
09:00 PM GMT
39 mins: France 31 Japan 0
In the closing stages of this first half “La Marseillaise” rings around the Stade de France. The cameras are on Eddie Jones and it is safe to say that his face on the big screen is met with some boos and jeers.
Into the final moments we go.
08:56 PM GMT
38 mins: France 31 Japan 0
Japan win a penalty inside their own half and they take it quickly. I was about to criticise them once again but tighthead prop Takeuchi bursts forward, making great ground all the way towards the France 22. They shift it out and Riley goes in unopposed under the sticks but immediately there is some doubt over that score. The TMO reviews and finds a knock-on so the try is chalked off.
08:52 PM GMT
TRY! Mauvaka finishes off neat set-piece move
This is complete and utter domination from the hosts but Japan are not helping themselves. It is a really smart piece of play from France, with Mauvaka and Dupont exchanging passes at the front of the line-out to send the former over in the corner but they caught Japan napping there. They have to be more switched on there. Ramos cannot land the conversion.
08:50 PM GMT
33 mins: France 26 Japan 0
France are being forced into a change as Flament is replaced by Boudehent. Flament seemed to be indicating he had some pain in his side/ hip.
08:49 PM GMT
32 mins: France 26 Japan 0
France are caught offside just inside their own half and Japan will have the chance to kick to the corner bus instead they decide to go quickly.
They then chip ahead but it is an easy catch and mark for Barre. What a waste from Japan. What was the point of not going for the corner and then doing that?
08:46 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey doubles up
France have four tries inside the opening half an hour, blowing Japan away. A crossfield kick on the bounce finds Bielle-Biarrey, who passes at just the right moment inside to Moefana to put him through a gap. The favour is then returned as Bielle-Biarrey is given the ball back and he cannot be denied in the corner. Ramos lands the conversion and France now lead 26-0. This is very quickly getting out of hand for Eddie Jones’ side.
08:42 PM GMT
25 mins: France 19 Japan 0
Japan have only entered into the France 22 on a few occasions but they do now again. But just as they do France force a turnover and clear a long way downfield.
08:37 PM GMT
TRY! France over again
France force a turnover and counter with such speed. They get it wide to Bielle-Biarrey, who kicks through a little like he did earlier. Once again Tuitama does not deal with it, which allows Roumat to gather. Initially the on-field decision is no try as they believed Roumat had knocked it on. However, after a TMO review, they come to the decision that there was no separation so the try is awarded. Ramos lands the conversion.
08:31 PM GMT
16 mins: France 12 Japan 0
France close in on the Japanese line but five metres out they are penalised for sealing off so Japan can escape their own 22.
08:31 PM GMT
15 mins: France 12 Japan 0
Japan are caught offside and France have another penalty, on the Japan 10-metre line. No thought of going for three; they go to the corner and have a line-out around 10 metres out.
08:28 PM GMT
13 mins: France 12 Japan 0
France burst through again and make good ground into the Japan 22 but they knock on to give the visitors just a bit of relief.
08:26 PM GMT
TRY! Gailleton gets France’s second inside opening 10 minutes
France make attacking look easy at times. Dupont’s superb offload to Alldritt sets the number eight through the Japanese defensive line. They keep it alive and Bielle-Biarrey comes close to getting over for his second. They recycle the ball so quickly and Ramos spots Gailleton in acres of space out on the left, so he picks him out with a crossfield kick. Ramos gets the conversion and France already lead 12-0.
08:22 PM GMT
8 mins: France 5 Japan 0
Japan win the line-out and go through the phases inside the France 22. They have a penalty advantage but cannot do anything with it so we go back for the penalty for not rolling away.
However the penalty will not be going Japan’s way as a neck roll by the Japanese has superseded the initial penalty against France.
08:19 PM GMT
5 mins: France 5 Japan 0
France are penalised for not rolling away so Japan will have a penalty on the French 10-metre line. They could go for goal but instead opt to go the corner. They will have a line-out within 10 metres of the France line.
08:18 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey dots down
France think they have the first try of the match and they do. They shift it wide out to the left-hand touchline. Bielle-Biarrey kicks forward and it rolls closer and closer to the Japanese line. Under pressure from the French winger, Tuitama makes a mess of it as he slides to try and gather it. Bielle-Biarrey takes advantage as it only comes off his chest so he is free to touch down without it being a knock-on. The TMO takes its time but the try is awarded. From the touchline Ramos slides his kick just to the right but France lead 5-0 early on.
08:13 PM GMT
1 min: France 0 Japan 0
Dupont is human after all! Not even 30 seconds into the game and he makes an error. His box-kick from just outside his own 22 is charged down by Dearns, who gets close to getting to the French line. Japan knock on though just a few metres out and France have a scrum. Big let-off for Dupont and France there.
08:11 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way in Paris for the final of three games on this Saturday of Autumn Nations Series rugby.
08:05 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
We have a lights show at the Stade de France before the teams come out onto the pitch.
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and it is time for the national anthems. “Kimigayo” followed by “La Marseillaise”.
08:00 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
France starting XV: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Théo Attissogbé, 13 Émilien Gailleton, 12 Yoram Morgana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 François Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickaël Guillard, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Matthieu Jalibert, 23 Gaël Fickou.
Japan starting XV: 15 Malo Tuitama, 14 Jone Nakiabula, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Siosaia Fifita, 11 Tomoki Osada, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (captain), 9 Naoto Saito, 8 Faula Makisi, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 6 Kanji Shimokawa, 5 Warner Deans, 4 Epineri Uluiviti, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Mamoru Harada, 1 Takato Okabe.
Replacements: 16 Kenta Masuoka, 17 Yukio Morikawa, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Amato Fakatava, 20 Tevita Tatafu, 21 Shinobu Fujiwara, 22 Yusuke Kajimura, 23 Takuro Matsunaga.
07:58 PM GMT
The thoughts of Japan forwards coach Neal Hatley
“We feel like we are getting back to our roots. We try and play with tempo and move the ball around.
“We know France are so good defensively and can attack from anywhere.”
07:56 PM GMT
Look who it is
Eddie Jones may have enjoyed the game and result at Twickenham earlier but his full focus will be on Japan’s task at hand tonight, which is a mighty one against France.
07:52 PM GMT
Dupont gearing up
07:49 PM GMT
France defence coach Shaun Edwards speaking pre-match
“We have had a really good two weeks training camp. It is great to be back in Paris but we did enjoy ourselves on the road.
“It is our job to win games and we have been quite good at that over the last five years. Hopefully that can continue.
“What you expect from Japan is an 80-minute game. They are very fit. We have been working really hard on our fitness.”
07:44 PM GMT
England left heartbroken again
The first game of the day in the Autumn Nations Series took place at Twickenham (now called Allianz Stadium) and England were left devastated again, with a heartbreaking loss at the death to old foes Australia.
We have you covered with all the reaction, from damning statistics to player ratings.
07:39 PM GMT
FT over in Italy
It has just finished in Italy and Argentina have run out comfortable winners, winning 50-18. You can follow all the reaction here.
07:34 PM GMT
Coin toss time
07:31 PM GMT
Hosts arrive
07:25 PM GMT
Argentina in control
Elsewhere in the Autumn Nations Series Italy are hosting Argentina and it is the visitors who look destined to win. They currently lead 43-18 with around ten minutes to go and you can follow the closing stages of that match here.
07:22 PM GMT
Team news
There are plenty of changes from France’s last match over the summer as Fabien Galthie recalls many of his star players. Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos has been selected at fly-half ahead of Bordeaux’s Matthieu Jalibert. Romain Ntamack is unavailable due to a calf injury. Antoine Dupont is back from his exploits over the summer at the Paris Olympics and captains the side from scrum-half.
France starting XV: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Théo Attissogbé, 13 Émilien Gailleton, 12 Yoram Morgana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 François Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickaël Guillard, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Matthieu Jalibert, 23 Gaël Fickou.
Japan starting XV: 15 Malo Tuitama, 14 Jone Nakiabula, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Siosaia Fifita, 11 Tomoki Osada, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (captain), 9 Naoto Saito, 8 Faula Makisi, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 6 Kanji Shimokawa, 5 Warner Deans, 4 Epineri Uluiviti, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Mamoru Harada, 1 Takato Okabe.
Replacements: 16 Kenta Masuoka, 17 Yukio Morikawa, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Amato Fakatava, 20 Tevita Tatafu, 21 Shinobu Fujiwara, 22 Yusuke Kajimura, 23 Takuro Matsunaga.
07:14 PM GMT
Dupont is back
Good evening and welcome to coverage from the Autumn Nations Series as France host Japan at the Stade de France. Tonight is the first time France have played at the Stade de France since they were dumped out of their home World Cup by South Africa in the quarter-finals. The hosts welcome back star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who demonstrated just how incredible he is by winning a gold medal with the French Sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics over the summer, playing a starring role including scoring two tries in the final win over Fiji.
Dupont, who will captain the side tonight, did not play for France during the Six Nations earlier this year as he prepared to play Sevens Rugby at the Olympics. He returned to action for Toulouse last month after an extended break, scoring a 13-minute hat-trick against Clermont. France flanker and Dupont’s club teammate Francois Cros is delighted to have the scrum-half back available for the national XV’s side.
“It was something incredible for him and French rugby,” Cros said. “Since he’s come back, after having a good break, he’s better than what he was before. So it’s obviously a pleasure to have him back.”
France will not be able to call upon Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack, who has been ruled out with a calf injury picked up in the Top 14 last month. France have not played since their tour of South America back in July, where they took on Argentina twice and Uruguay once with a much-changed squad, resting plenty of first-choice players. They won one and lost one against Argentina and beat Uruguay. France will also take on New Zealand and Argentina during this Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Japan are now led by former England and Australia head coach Eddie Jones. Japan come into tonight’s game off the back of a heavy defeat to New Zealand, losing 64-19 two weeks ago in Yokohama. They did reach the Pacific Nations Cup final back in September, losing to Fiji 41-17. After tonight, Japan will take on Uruguay next weekend before playing England in two weeks’ time.
The omens are not on the visitors’ side tonight. France have never lost to Japan in seven previous meetings. The last time these teams met was in Toulouse two years ago, with France running out 35-17 winners.
Kick-off is at 8.10pm UK time.
