France 52-12 Japan – Antoine Dupont makes winning return in Autumn Nations Series romp for Les Bleus

France opened their Autumn Nations Series with an eight-try victory against Japan, as Antoine Dupont played an influential part on his international return.

Looking to put the ghosts to rest of their World Cup quarter-final defeat, France were relentless in their victory.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey settled any nerves with a third-0minute try before kicker Thomas Ramos played a key role in assisting Emilien Gailleton’s second try with nine minutes on the clock.

The Brave Blossoms were unable to cope with left winger Bielle-Biarrey who scored a third try and then assisted Alexandre Roumat’s fourth score.

The hosts were out of sight by half-time with Peato Mauvaka dotting down a fifth score as Eddie Jones’ visitors came into half-time 31-0 behind.

It looked like the onslaught might continue when Jean-Baptiste Gros opened his account just seconds after the break.

However, to the relief of Jones the visitors were sparked into life as Harumichi Tatekawa got them off the bagel.

The strength of the French squad was showcased with replacement Paul Boudehent coming on to score a brace of tries, sandwiched by Tevita Tatafu try in response.

France will have to tighten their defence when they host New Zealand next Saturday evening (20:10 GMT), while Japan and Jones head to Twickenham to face England on Sunday, November 24.

With Antoine Dupont back playing in the France side they were full of confidence as the hosts proved too strong for Japan.

However, next weekend New Zealand will test the discipline of a French side who were guilty of giving away important second half penalties.

France will look for winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey to have another standout performance next weekend and his partnership with kicker Thomas Ramos could prove key to their success.

The All Blacks arriving at the Stade De France could also come as a steep learning curve for talented youngsters TevitaTatafu and TheoAttissogbe, amongst others.

The Toulouse fly-half is an important cog in the French machine, despite the skilful play of Dupont often stealing the headlines.

Ramos added six penalties to the French tally and his placement of attacking kicks were also key in assisting several tries.

The fly-half also played his role defensively with some last ditch tackles which prevented the visitors adding to their tally.

France: Gross 7, Mauvaka 8, Tatafu 7, Flament 7, Meafou 6, Cros 6, Roumat 6, Alldritt 6, Dupont 8, Ramos 8, Bielle-Biarrey 8, Moefana 7, Gailleton 6, Attissogbe 7, Barre 6.

Replacements: Marchand 6, Wardi 6, Colombe 6, Guillard 6, Boudehent 8, Lucu 6, Jalibert 7, Fickou 6

Japan: Okabe 6, Harada 6, Takeuchi 6, Uluiviti 6, Dearns 6, Shimokawa 6, Himeno 6, Makisi 6, Saito 6, Tatekawa 7, Osada 7, Fifita 6, Riley 8, Naikabula 7, Tuitama 6

Replacements: Matsuoka 7, Morikawa 6, Tamefusa 6, Fakatava 6, Tatafu 7, Fujiwara 6, Kajimura 6, Matsunaga 6

3’ – TRY! FRANCE 5 (BIELLE-BIARREY) JAPAN 0: Attissogbe starts the move with a darting run before the ball goes outside to Bielle-Biarrey who kicks the ball towards the try-line.

Japan’s Tuitama looked to slide the ball across the line to save the situation, but drops it and Bielle-Biarrey grounds the ball.

10’ –TRY! FRANCE 12 (GAILLETON) JAPAN 0: Ramos with a cross-field kick which finds an unmarked Gailleton who jinks inside the covering defender and then dots down.

This time the Ramos conversion is a good one

18’ –TRY! FRANCE 19 (ROUMAT) JAPAN 0: Bielle-Biarrey receives a long pass and then kicks past his marker. The ball comes off the French winger and then to Roumat who grounds the ball.

The referee gives an on-field decision of knock-on. However, the TMO decides the try can stand. The conversion by Ramos is straight down the middle.

26’ –TRY! FRANCE 26 (BIELLE-BIARREY) JAPAN 0: The young French back line strike again with an excellent kick by Ramos finds Bielle-Biarrey who passes for Moefana, his charging run is held up. However, Bielle-Biarrey is on hand to score his second try of the evening. Ramos converts.

33’ –TRY! FRANCE 31 (MAUVAKA) JAPAN 0: Japan are guilty of not concentrating fully as from a line-out Mauvaka plays it quickly to Dupont who returns the ball and the French hooker is through out wide. Ramos misses the conversion.

42’ – TRY! FRANCE 38 (GROS) JAPAN 0: This time France use their power as Dupont finds a whole in the Japanese line and then plays a pass for Gros to cross. Ramos with a simple conversion.

49’ – TRY! FRANCE 38 JAPAN 7 (TATEKAWA): Riley offloads to Naikabula who despite being held up the ball is played out wide to Tatekawa. The conversion by Saito is over

53’ –TRY! FRANCE 45 (BOUDEHENT) JAPAN 7: From a driving maul for France its Dupont who makes a line break. The Japanese players retreat but fail to stop replacement Boudehent crossing. Ramos again kicks the extras.

60’ – TRY! FRANCE 45 JAPAN 12 (TATAFU) : Tatafu intercepts a French pass and then runs 40 metres with the ball to cross under pressure from two tacklers. Moments after seeing a try chalked off Tatafu gets his name on the score sheet. A difficult conversion is wide.

64’ –TRY! FRANCE 52 (BOUDEHENT) JAPAN 12: A kick wide by Dupont to Mauvaka, but he is stopped by Riley. However, France pass the ball out wide where Attissogbe goes close before Boudehent charges over. Ramos adds the extras again.

• France won five turnovers to Japan’s three
• France made 235 tackles to Japan’s 106