Still undefeated against Japan in now nine matches, the French XV corrected the “Brave Blossoms” 42 to 15 on Saturday July 18 in Tokyo, for the third day of the Nations Championship, with six tries including doubles from Jalibert and Lamothe.
Thanks to this enhanced victory, the Blues (12 points) take the lead in the northern hemisphere standings, taking advantage of Ireland’s 40-21 defeat (10 points) at the All Blacks earlier in the day. And they cannot be dislodged on Saturday, whatever the results of the other Six Nations teams.
“Indeed, it’s a positive result. Before leaving, we would have signed straight away I think to have these points in the standings”, declared Matthieu Jalibert after the meeting, referring to the two victories in Japan and Australia (26-42) and the narrow defeat for the All Blacks (34-32).
Few chinks in the blue armor
After the “Brighton miracle” and the narrow victory against the South African Springboks during the 2015 World Cup, Japan hoped for a “Tokyo miracle” and a first success against the Blues for the 100th anniversary of its federation. But despite two good attempts, including one on an 80 m restart (15e) from winger Ishida, there was never really any suspense for Eddie Jones’ men.
The France team during the anthems, July 18, 2026 in Tokyo. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP
On Thursday, coach Fabien Galthié explained that he was wary of the Australian guru, with “his ability to bring out a specific weapon by having identified a specific weakness in us”. But there were few chinks in the blue armor on the pitch of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic stadium, a good omen before the reunion between the two teams at the 2027 World Cup in Australia in Pool E.
Along the way, the Blues improved their record against the Japanese by signing their biggest victory in the Land of the Rising Sun (+27 against +19 on July 2, 2022 at Toyota), equaling their highest number of points on Japanese soil. They did better in November 2024 at the Stade de France (52-12).
There was too much power on the French side, as demonstrated by these three attempts on penalty kicks, from the 2e minute by Maxime Lamothe, by Toulouse number 8 Alexandre Roumat (23e) next, then by the UBB hooker again (51e).
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Two yellow cards
Power and canes, with Jalibert, from his rear position, served by Ntamack (19e), then by his captain Maxime Lucu, on a delicious chistera (43e). The same Lucu who had invited himself to the scoreboard in the wake of a tumble from his pack, after a new penalty (30e).
A victory therefore, but still a downside, with these problems in the closed melee of the blue pack, sanctioned on the first two introductions (7e and 13e), before straightening things out a little. And these two yellow cards, prohibitive against more marked opposition.
The Japanese Jack Cornelsen tackled by the French during the Nations Championship match on July 18, 2026 in Tokyo. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP
Victory in hand, it is now a well-deserved vacation for the XV of France. Before the reunion planned for November, for the “return” matches of this competition, this time with the visit to France of Fiji in Lyon on the 7th, before the double world champions Springboks on the 13th then the Argentinian Pumas on the 21st at the Stade de France.
And why not then the grand final at Twickenham in London, on November 29, to win this first trophy between the northern and southern hemispheres?
With AFP
