France beat Japan 42-15 in Tokyo to top Nations Championship group, with doubles from Jalibert and Lamothe

Match recap

France ran in six tries to overwhelm Japan 42-15 at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, wrapping up their three-match southern hemisphere series with a comfortable bonus-point win. The match kicked off in 28°C heat and high humidity in front of more than 50,000 fans, though forecast rain stayed away. The result extends France's unbeaten record against Japan to nine meetings and leaves them top of the northern hemisphere group of the Nations Championship.

How the tries unfolded

France struck inside two minutes when Maxime Lamothe touched down from a lineout drive. Japan responded after flanker Lenni Nouchi and lock Florian Verhaege both left the field for concussion checks, with Kippei Ishida racing clear in the 15th minute. Matthieu Jalibert hit back almost immediately, and Japan lock Harry Hockings was sin-binned in the aftermath. Alexandre Roumat, making his first international appearance since February 2025, crossed four minutes later to put France firmly in control. Captain Maxime Lucu added a fourth before Sojiro Otsuka gave Japan a lifeline four minutes before the interval. Jalibert grabbed his second two minutes into the second half, and Lamothe completed his double less than ten minutes later. Jalibert was sin-binned midway through the second period for an illegal tackle, and the TMO denied replacement Tiennan Costly a late Japan try.

Standings shake-up

France's bonus-point win, combined with Ireland's 40-21 defeat by New Zealand earlier in the day, lifted them to 12 points at the top of the northern hemisphere group. Ireland sit second on 10 points, and France cannot be overtaken regardless of other results on Saturday. The three-match series saw France beat Australia and Japan while losing to the All Blacks; Japan defeated Italy but fell to Ireland and France.

Galthié and Jalibert react

Head coach Fabien Galthié was effusive about his squad's contribution across the five-week campaign.

You would have to be blind not to see the players' performances. Everything went well, and above all the energy and commitment of the players was magnificent and they were rewarded.

Matthieu Jalibert, repositioned at fullback and named among the standout performers, was satisfied to end a long season on a high.

We finish this long season on a good note.

What comes next

This match closed the first phase of the Nations Championship for France, who now turn their attention toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, now 15 months away. Galthié hinted that several players involved in the Tokyo victory have strengthened their claims for selection, describing the competition as a "great find" that allowed the squad to build depth and cohesion.