France secured a 42-15 victory over Japan on Saturday in the Nations Championship at National Stadium in Tokyo.
Matthieu Jalibert and hooker Maxime Lamothe each scored two tries for France. Skipper Maxime Lucu added 15 points with five conversions and one try.
Japan matched France physically in the first half and led briefly after a penalty and a try by winger Kippei Ishida. France responded with tries from Jalibert and Alexandre Roumat before Lucu scored to secure a bonus point.
Japan finished the first phase of the tournament with consecutive losses after an earlier win over Italy. France winger Theo Attissogbe said through a translator, “We had long sequences with the ball despite a very, very hot and humid climate, and so we are now with two victories in this Nations Championship.”
