Player Ratings: France
OPINION: Despite a late withdrawal from wing Damian Penaud, France’s star power was unmatched in the contest as they ran out to a 31-0 lead by halftime and never looked in doubt of securing the result.
That being said, the second half came with a drop in discipline from the hosts, who let Japan gain momentum with offside and breakdown penalties that were punished.
Ned Lester rates the French players!
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros – 8.5
Started the second half with a well-earned try after a robust defensive first half where he led his side with more than a dozen tackles. Was strong, although not dominant in the set piece against a tough Japanese scrum coached by recently retired All Blacks great Owen Franks.
2. Peato Mauvaka – 8.5
Mauvaka was immense from the outset of this Test, making a nuisance of himself in Japan’s breakdowns, making multiple efforts on defence and combining his pace and power to get in Japan’s face. Led the game in tackles missed with five, otherwise would have got a nine.
3. Tevita Tatafu – 7.5
The young behemoth gave away the first penalty of the game but settled himself quickly, landing his significant weight to complete 10 of his 12 tackles. Tatafu didn’t get his name on the board, although his cousin who owns the exact same name and was representing Japan in this game did score an intercept try.
4. Thibaud Flament – 7
A strong performance that was cut short by an injury 32 minutes in.
5. Emmanuel Meafou – 7
The most mountainous of France’s man-mountains, Meafou was bruising at the line, leading his team with 14 carries.
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6. Francois Cros – 8
An industrious blindside performance from Cros, who was physical in all of his collisions and contributions, making winning plays throughout his 40 minutes.
7. Alexandre Roumat – 7
The openside was hungry throughout, although conceded too many penalties in the first half, one of which came just shy of the Japanese line and squandered a prime points-scoring opportunity.
8. Gregory Alldritt – 8.5
A world-class effort from the influential No. 8, who put his hand up for tough carries throughout his 80 minutes, while leading the game with 21 tackles.
9. Antoine Dupont – 9
Dupont’s first touch for France in 2024 was a clearing box kick which was charged down by Warner Dearns, the halfback then hustled back to snatch the ball at the ensuing breakdown.
The Olympic champion was simply outstanding thereafter, causing absolute havoc for Japan’s defence while threatening around the ruck.
A wayward pass and a side-entry penalty were the only blights on the superstar’s performance.
10. Thomas Ramos – 8.5
Ramos, in a rare start at 10, was unfazed by the Japanese defence in his face from the outset, distributing long and short with precision and timing.
Closed the game with a classy 50/22, allowing his side to finish an exhaustive game on the front foot.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 8.5
Bielle-Biarrey finished his opportunities brilliantly, including the opening try of the game. The 21-year-old, in this Test being the more veteran of the two French wingers, was ambitious with his kicking game but it certainly worked out more often than not, leading to two tries. Four linebreaks led the game.
12. Yoram Moefana – 7.5
It was a selfless performance from the inside centre, who made hard carries and put in a big shift defensively so his outsides could star. Nine carries and 14 tackles on the evening. Moefana’s carry metres were often hard-earned.
13. Emilien Gailleton – 8
Superb outing from the centre, wh0 was influential across the park in his 55 minutes. Gailleton made a dozen tackles, some of which were around the bootlaces in awkward positions, another saw him combine with Ramos to hold Malo Tuitama up and earn the maul turnover. Two turnovers won to lead the contest in that area.
14. Theo Attissogbe – 7.5
Stepping into Damian Penaud’s No. 14 jersey after the superstar’s late withdrawal due to illness, the 19-year-old looked more than comfortable on the international stage.
Attissogbe showed good pace to chew through some good metres on his first touch and then got himself into the game through a couple of strong contributions around the defensive breakdown, helping his side steal possession.
Perhaps showed some inexperience when contesting high balls that his forwards already had covered, with one resulting in an unnecessary knock-on.
15. Leo Barre – 8
The French territory game was dominant, predominantly led by Dupont and Ramos but Barre also contributed six kicks along with his eight carries. The fullback looked dangerous throughout.
Replacements:
16. Julien Marchand – 7
17. Reda Wardi – 7
The reserves had some shaky moments at scrum time, but Wardi was active in his minutes around the park.
18. Georges-Henri Colombe – 7
19. Mickael Guillard – 8
20. Paul Boudehent – 8.5
Boudehent came on early for Flament and quickly made his presence felt on defence, perhaps being France’s most dominant player in defensive collisions. Scored twice in the second half with powerful carries.
21. Maxime Lucu – 8
22. Matthieu Jalibert – 7.5
23. Gael Fickou – 8
A superb cameo off the bench from the veteran, with playmaking flair and astute defensive work.
By Ned Lester, Rugbypass
