Player ratings: France

OPINION: France clinched a second November win on Saturday, vanquishing a Wallabies challenge 48-33 to give Fabien Galthié breathing space heading into the new year.

This was the Les Bleus’ third straight win over the Wallabies, and although it wasn’t as big as the one they got in 2023, their second-half performance was a joy to behold.

Jean-Baptiste Gros, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lucu came in clutch to help their side to land a precious victory.

*Francisco Isaac rates the French players!

1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
We had already mentioned this after last week’s game, but Jean-Baptiste is the human embodiment of an anvil, as the prop amassed three dominant tackles that shook the Stade de France. The Toulon enforcer was a voracious operator for the Les Bleus, winning several metres from his carries and making sure his tackles’ impact were felt. Clinical for France’s set-piece dominance throughout the game.
8/10

2 Julien Marchand
Another powerful display from one of France’s best November performers. Marchand gathered three misplaced Wallabies throws-in, looking energised and ready to plunder the opposition’s set-piece. Didn’t miss a single throw-in and was always the driving force of the Les Bleus’ scrum. Even if his eagerness resulted in conceding two penalties, Marchand’s energy and relentless mindset were key to his side’s success.
8/10

3 Régis Montagne
Less involved compared to Gros, but his output was a positive one, standing his ground against Angus Bell at scrum time and even squeezing a penalty out of his rival. Was by far Montagne’s best game since his debut, which is promising ahead of the Six Nations.
7/10

4 Thibaud Flament
Missed the tackle that ended up leading to Australia’s first try, conceded a penalty a few metres shy of the Wallabies’ in-goal area and was flattened in a few carries. However, as time went on, Flament looked more at ease and back to his best, winning the gainline in most of his carries and assuming the enforcer role when his team needed him the most.
6/10

5 Emmanuel Meafou
Far too many (avoidable) penalties were conceded, which kept giving a lifeline to Australia. Emmanuel Meafou tried to battle his way out of a poor performance, but he was mainly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Was lucky not to have been sent to the sin bin due to his ill-discipline.
5/10

6 Anthony Jelonch 7/10
Solid in his off-the-ball work, Jelonch created chaos in the Wallabies’ line-out and maul, while making an impact on France’s defensive strategy. Kept the Wallabies’ scrum exit under his thumb, controlling Harry Wilson every single time the Australian No.8 tried to set anything from the back of the scrum.
7/10

7 Charles Ollivon – N/A
Was fired up and managed to clinch a turnover that triggered France’s first try but was forced to leave due to an HIA intervention.

8 Grégory Alldritt
Alldritt’s line-out knowledge was vital to tear apart the opposition, as the French skipper was able to plunder it and help his team have more than one platform to set their backline loose. Despite the Wallabies closing off his offloading game, Alldritt was one of France’s best carriers, rushing well in and leading by example.
7/10

9 Maxime Lucu
A mixed game at best, as Lucu’s intensity was what drove France to wake up from their slumber, injecting speed and tenacity into his team, but his defensive input was far from what is expected of him. The UBB’s experienced scrum half was sent to the sin bin, helping the Wallabies to clinch the draw a few minutes later. However, once he was back in the fray, Lucu powered up the French backline, executing several plays that put his team ahead.
7/10

10 Romain Ntamack
Maybe the biggest point of contention on the French side, Ntamack was key to helping France score their first, second, and third tries, making key passes that set things in motion. However, his tactical positioning seemed a bit off, with Tane Edmed able to win good kicking ground every time Ntamack and Ramos were together in the back.
7/10

11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Stunning, simply stunning performance from Les Bleus’ roadrunner! Made the assist for his team’s first, leaving Joseph Sua’ali’i and Max Jorgensen on the ground and wondering what had happened, and scored a belting try 10 minutes before half-time. His elusiveness caused several problems for the Australian backline, who never seemed to find a conventional way to stop him. Always looked insatiable and was trying to find a way to get back inside the opposition’s try-area, and eventually got his second five-pointer.
9/10

12 Gaël Fickou
Fickou’s bid to stay in France’s starting team has suffered a hit, as the centre was nowhere to be seen for most of the game. One of Les Bleus’ most experienced and coveted players was far from his best, failing to meet the moment and serve as a valuable option in his side’s offensive strategy.
5/10

13 Nicolas Depoortère
The young Bordeaux-Bègles centre is on a roll, having scored his second brace for the second weekend straight and bagging three dominant tackles to collect another belting performance as a starter.
Came in on the rescue when Potter seemed to have found a way through the French defence, clinching a successful tackle that put a stop to what looked to be a menacing Australian play.
8/10

14 Damian Penaud
Damian Penaud was mainly out of action in the game’s first half, with Australia starving him on the wing, and had to contend with a few high balls and soft carries. Didn’t need to wear the hero cape, as his partner in crime, Bielle-Biarrey, made sure to go big out with every opportunity.
6/10

15 Thomas Ramos
Seemed like a fish out of water in the opening quarter, making several mistakes that ranged from missed tackles to knock-ons until he was finally able to get his head in the game. However, Ramos is not known for giving up and got back to his feet, scoring a try and pulling off a stunning play from nothing that propelled his team to reach the Wallabies’ in-goal area for a fourth time. Finished the game in top form, clocking most of his kicks and helping France to snatch a 48-33 win to conclude their Quilter Series campaign.
7/10

Replacements

16 Maxime Lamothe
Scored his first try for France and was rock solid in the set-piece.
6/10

17 Rodrigue Neti
Positive display from Toulouse’s prop in a period of time when he didn’t need to show his best.
6/10

18 Thomas Laclayat
Two powerful carries and one good tackle.
5/10

19 Romain Taofifenua
Came in when his team was already winning by quite some margin and helped his side add another try.
5/10

20 Hugo Auradou
A tackle here and there, Auradou held his own in the line-out without making much of an impact.
5/10

21 Oscar Jegou
The 22-year-old flanker came on early due to Ollivon’s HIA exit, and registered a big performance, gaining several contact metres and completing 12 successful tackle attempts. His support to the ball carrier was also crucial, as it allowed France to keep possession even under high pressure.
7/10

22 Baptiste Jauneau – N/A
Played just 6 minutes.

23 Kalvin Gourgues
What a debut for one of Toulouse’s most immense talents, as not only set up Bielle-Biarrey’s second try, but also put down Ikitau with a thumping tackle. Has all the ingredients to become a first-team starter for France in the near future.
8/10

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