France thump Jake White's Fiji but lose playmaker ahead of Bok clash
MATCH REPORT: France stormed back to the top of the Northern Hemisphere Nations Championship table with a dominant but flawed 54-17 victory over Fiji on Saturday.
Victory came at a cost, with flyhalf Romain Ntamack, aligned alongside captain Antoine Dupont at halfback for the first time since March 2025, seemingly dislocating his shoulder in the build-up to France’s third try.
With Mathieu Jalibert already out injured, France will face world champions South Africa next week without either of their best flyhalves.
And they will need to put in a vastly improved showing to stand any chance of avoiding a 10th defeat in their last 11 clashes with the Springboks.
Props Jean-Baptiste Gros and Sipili Falatea, winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, centre Kalvin Gourgues, fullback Theo Attissogbe, replacement forward Charles Ollivon and Dupont crossed the whitewash, with a penalty try making it eight scores for the hosts.
They are two points ahead of Ireland in the standings ahead of England’s clash with Australia on Sunday.
Fiji, who started the match with 10 France-based players, including their entire backline, were typically physical but slumped to a fourth straight defeat in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Their much-vaunted backs struggled to fire, although centre Vinaya Habosi beat four defenders to score and Selestino Ravutaumada added a second consolation try.
The Top 14’s most prolific finisher, Jiuta Wainiqolo, who was playing in his adopted home, was unable to make an impact, though.
Player of the match: The award goes to Antoine Dupont, who was at his brilliant best on attack and controlled proceedings in a dominant display.
The scorers:
For France:
Tries: Gros, Penalty Try, Falatea, Nkanang, Gourgues, Attissogbe, Ollivon, Dupont
Cons: Gourgues, Lucu 5
For Fiji:
Tries: Habosi, Ravutaumada
Cons: Volavola 2
Pen: Kuruvoli
Teams:
France: 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 François Cros, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Émilien Gailleton.
Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Vinaya Habosi, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Inoke Ratuwawasa, 19 Peceli Yato, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Damián Schneider (Argentina), Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
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