Player ratings: France

OPINION: France have completed a clean sweep pf wins in their Nations Series Tests after knocking off a valiant Argentina side 37-23 at Stade de France. Les Bleus came into this match on the back of a big win over Japan and last weekend’s dramatic triumph over New Zealand.

Wings Gabin Villiere and Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers for Les Bleus as they gave the Parisian crowd plenty to smile, cheer and sing about at full-time. Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Charles Ollivon were among the other standouts.

Here’s how the French players rated.

1 Jean-Baptise Gros – N/A
Jean-Baptise Gros was replaced less than four minutes into the Test. The loosehead prop made a couple of tackles and was active around the breakdown before unfortunately limping off the field at Stade de France with three minutes and 49 seconds on the clock.

2 Peato Mauvaka – 7
When Peato Mauvaka was replaced about 10 minutes into the second half, the hooker had made the second-most tackles out of any French player up to that point. Mauvaka worked hard around the field which has to be admired, and the Toulouse front-rower was mostly accurate at the set-piece. Mauvaka did have one lineout won against the throw in the 28th minute.

3 Uini Atonio – 6.5
France conceded a free kick at the first scrum of the Test but the hosts took control of the set-piece battle during the first half. New Zealand-born Uini Atonio deserves some plaudits for that, with the world-class tighthead prop also putting in a solid shift in general play. Atonio drew Argentina players in with strong carries and also made some telling stops on defence.

4 Thibaud Flament – 8
Thibaud Flament’s crowning moment in this match came early on as the second rower crashed over for the opening try of the contest in the 10th minute. That set the tone for both France and Flament, with the 27-year-old among the team leaders for tackles made and carries. Flament was also a general at the set-piece, including putting pressure on Argentina’s throws.

5 Emmanuel Meafou – 6
New Zealand-born lock Emmanuel Meafou led the way for Les Bleus with two turnovers on the night, but there wasn’t too much else to speak of out of the Australia-schooled lock’s performance against Argentina. Meafou carried the ball for 15 metres and was equal 23rd for tackles completed when he was replaced about 10 minutes into the second term.

6 Francois Cros – 7
Francois Cros only carried the ball four times but the backrower certainly made the most of it by running for more than 20 metres in total. On the other side of the ball, the blindside flanker was an enforcer for the French side, with Cros making the second-most tackles out of any French player with a staggering 13 completions from 15 attempts.

7 Paul Boudehent – 6
After scoring three tries in France’s first two Autumn Nations Series fixtures, Paul Boudehent was moved from blindside flanker to the openside for this Test. Boudehent was good enough in attack with eight carries for 28 metres, but failed to stand out in defence with six stops. The backrower was replaced by Marko Gazzotti during the half-time break.

8 Charles Ollivon – 9
It shouldn’t surprise anyone to hear that Charles Ollivon was France’s top tackler against Argentina. Ollivon is a tackle machine, and the backrower has gladly played that role for Les Bleus time and time again. The 31-year-old was also the busiest Frenchman in attack with a team-high 12 carries for a hard-earned 19 metres. Ollivon had to be up there with the best in the race for Player of the Match honours.

9 Antoine Dupont – 8
Antoine Dupont is one of the most exciting players to watch in the international game – not that this is a hot take or anything new. The halfback wasn’t afraid to run forward, sideways or even backwards in a bid to find space. France’s captain led by example in practically all areas of the game, with Dupont delivering another high-level performance that’s expected of him.

10 Thomas Ramos – 8
Thomas Ramos is a superb option at flyhalf for Les Bleus. Ramos was the world’s best fullback at last year’s Rugby World Cup, but the 29-year-old has made a sensational switch to the No. 10 jumper after guiding the team to some solid wins. Ramos was perfect off the goal-kicking tee once again, kicked well in general play, and helped provide quality ball to others in the well-known navy jersey. The playmaker finished with a significant 15-point haul.

11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 8
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has to be one of the quickest rugby players in the world. The winger stole the show last weekend against the All Blacks with a stunning try, and there were shades of that brilliance once again on Friday. Whenever Bielle-Biarrey got the ball, the Parisian crowd cheered – and they were treated during the second half as the speedster scored from a grubber kick and chase. The 21-year-old had come within inches of scoring a try earlier in the Test as well.

12 Yoram Moefana – 7
It was a bit of an off night for Yoram Moefana with the inside centre struggling to make a telling impact with the ball. Moefana carried the ball five times for only 10 metres, but the inside centre was better on the defensive side of the ball with a game-high three dominant tackles. The midfielder was equal-sixth overall for tackles made by a French player.

13 Gael Fickou – 7
Gael Fickou is a world-class defender and there were glimpses of that at Stade de France on Friday evening. Fickou is a leader for the French backline, with the outside centre ensuring others do their job while he stood out with more than eight stops. The experienced campaigner was less impactful on attack, but he did have some solid carries and a couple of kicks.

14 Gabin Villiere – 7.5
At the core of a winger’s job, they are judged on one criterion above all else. For a player wearing either 11 or 14 on their back, the ability to score tries is what they are paid to do. Gabin Villiere did that on Friday evening, with the flyer crossing for a five-pointer in the 33rd minute while also impressing in general play. Villiere ended up carrying the ball for more than 35 metres.

15 Leo Barre – 6
Returning to the First XV for the first time since France’s big win over Japan, Leo Barre didn’t look out of place in the No. 15 jersey. The 22-year-old had an especially eye-catching carry in the first half and delighted the Parisian crowd shortly after by sending Gabin Villier over for a try. While Barre made an impact against Los Pumas, the fullback did go missing for extended periods.

Replacements

16 Julien Marchand – 7
17 Reda Wardi – 7.5 – Reda Wardi much earlier than expected in the fourth minute. In Wardi’s first scrum, France won a scrum penalty, and the hosts continued to control the set-piece battle throughout the first term.
18 Georges-Henri Colombe – 6
19 Alexandre Roumat – 7.5
20 Mickael Guillard – 7
21 Marko Gazzotti – 7.5
22 Nolann Le Garrec – 6.5
23 Emilien Gailleton – 5.5

By Finn Morton