We suspected that the Blues would not need to dip into their reserves to overcome a Japanese team in clear regression since 2019 and a particularly successful home World Cup. But the craze was short-lived, the resources allocated to the Brave Blossoms diminished, add the isolation experienced for 18 months during the Covid pandemic and, five years later, the Japanese selection is no more than a shadow of the one that beat Ireland and Scotland five years ago on home soil.

Antoine Dupont and his team-mates didn’t have to exert their talents to score a string of tries. In the first half, they had two scares. Dupont’s clearance was blocked in the 20th minute.^e second by the giant Dearns, caught by Léo Barré on his way to the try. And, just before the break, a Japanese try, finally cancelled after video refereeing. François Cros had made a heavy tackle on a Japanese forward, who had committed a foul.

Flament injured

Between the two? Five tries scored. Four of them from more or less the same scenario. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, unstoppable on his wing, made his opposite number Naikabula suffer like a martyr. For two tries of his own (4^e and 27^e). Gailleton (10^e) and Roumat (19^e) also flattened in this left corner. On two occasions, the decisive pass came from the foot of Thomas Ramos. The weak point was clearly identified.

The 5^e The first-half try was also parried. A combination in touch between Peato Mauvaka and Antoine Dupont sent the Toulouse hooker in for his 10th try of the season.^e blue jersey test (34^e). And at the break, they returned to the dressing room with the match already won (31-0). The only worry was the rib injury suffered by Thibaud FlamentThe Toulouse second-rower’s participation against the All Blacks on Saturday is now in doubt.

Ramos recital

The second half began at the same tempo. It took just a minute for Les Bleus to score their 6th goal of the season.^e try by Toulon prop Jean-Baptiste Gros. Then it was Dupont’s turn to score. But he was disallowed after a video for a forward pass. Still, 38-0. Before the first Japanese points. Tatekawa, opener and captain of the Brave Blossoms, took advantage of this to save his team’s honor (38-7, 49′).^e).

Fabien Galthié takes advantage of the high score to introduce a large turn-over. Matthieu Jalibert (51^e) and then, ten minutes later, Maxime Lucu to give Antoine Dupont a rest before the clash with the All Blacks next Saturday. The last half-hour was hardly exciting, with substitute Paul Boudehent scoring two tries (53^e, 64^e) and UBB’s Japanese third-rower – and namesake of the French neo-pilot – Tatafu, his team’s second (60^e). And Ramos continued his recital by converting six of his team’s eight tries for an easy 52-12 victory. A trial gallop before, in a week’s time and still at the Stade de France, they take on the French champions. All Blacks. It will be a different kettle of fish against the New Zealanders, who have just beaten England at Twickenham and then Ireland in Dublin…