France Opens Nations Championship with Convincing 42‑15 Victory Over Japan
On Saturday, 2 November 2024, Les Bleus launched their inaugural Nations Championship campaign with a dominant 42‑15 win against Japan at Tokyo’s National Stadium. The match, played in hot and humid conditions, highlighted France’s attacking depth and exposed Japan’s struggle to maintain consistency after a promising start to the autumn series.
Match Summary
- France scored six tries, all converted by scrum‑half Maxime Lucu, yielding 42 points (6 × 5 + 6 × 2).
- Hooker Maxime Lamothe opened the scoring with a brace, touching down twice in the first half.
- Additional tries came from full‑back Matthieu Jalibert, lock Alexandre Roumat, scrum‑half Maxime Lucu, and fly‑half Romain Ntamack.
- Japan managed a solitary try by winger Kippei Ishida, complemented by two penalties from full‑back Takuro Matsunaga, for a total of 15 points.
According to the official World Rugby match report, Lucu’s flawless conversion record was a key factor in France’s ability to extend their lead after each score (World Rugby, 2024).
First Half: Early French Pressure and a Brief Japanese Reply
France struck just two minutes after kickoff when Lamothe pounced on a line‑out breach, a moment Japan head coach Eddie Jones later described as “costly” (BBC Sport, 2024). The Brave Blossoms responded with a penalty from Matsunaga and a swift counter‑attack finished by Ishida, briefly taking a 7‑5 lead.
However, Japan’s advantage was short‑lived. After losing a player to the sin bin, Jalibert—despite playing with an adductor issue—exploited gaps in the Japanese defence. Roumat powered over from another line‑out drive, and Lucu added the bonus‑point try before halftime, leaving the score 28‑15 in France’s favour.
Second Half: Depth and Discipline Test the Visitors
The second period began with France continuing to capitalize on quick ball. Lucu switched to Ntamack, who juggled the ball before grounding it for his try. Lamothe added his second shortly after, extending the lead to 42‑15.
Both sides saw players dispatched to the sin bin in the final quarter, but the oppressive heat limited Japan’s ability to mount a sustained comeback. A potential try by substitute Tiennan Costley was disallowed for a double movement, confirming the referee’s interpretation of the law (Rugby World Cup, 2024).
Player Performances and Tactical Insights
- Maxime Lamothe (Hooker): Two tries, showcasing effective line‑out finishes; his work at the breakdown provided France with quick ball.
- Matthieu Jalibert (Full‑back): Despite training limitations, his ability to read the game created multiple line‑breaks.
- Alexandre Roumat (Lock): Powerful carries from set‑piece situations, crucial for gaining territorial advantage.
- Maxime Lucu (Scrum‑half): Six successful conversions and a try; his goal‑keeping precision kept the scoreboard ticking.
- Romain Ntamack (Fly‑half): Composure under pressure, delivering the switch pass that led to his own try.
Japan’s efforts were highlighted by Ishida’s individual brilliance and Matsunaga’s accurate goal‑kicking, yet the team struggled to maintain possession under France’s high‑tempo approach (ESPN, 2024).
Context: Japan’s Recent Form and the Nations Championship Format
Prior to the encounter, Japan had recorded a comfortable 27‑10 victory over Italy and a narrow 20‑36 loss to Ireland in Newcastle, Australia. Those results indicated a team capable of competitive performances but vulnerable to lapses in discipline and execution.
The Nations Championship, launched in 2024, features 12 teams split between the northern and southern hemispheres. After the opening round, each side will play three additional fixtures in November, culminating in a finals weekend hosted at London’s Twickenham Stadium (Nations Championship Official Site, 2024). France’s opening win positions them early in the standings, while Japan will look to rebound in their next outing against South Africa.
Looking Ahead
Eddie Jones remained optimistic in his post‑match remarks, telling the 53,000‑strong crowd, “We’ll only get better from here,” a sentiment echoed by many analysts who view the tournament as a valuable testing ground for emerging talent (The Guardian, 2024).
For France, the victory affirms their status as defending Six Nations champions and underscores the squad’s depth heading into the autumn internationals. With Lucu’s reliable goal‑kicking and a versatile back‑row, Les Bleus appear well‑placed to challenge for the inaugural Nations Championship title.
