France has secured a 42-15 win over Japan in the Nations Championship rugby, with skipper Maxime Lucu tallying 15 points from five conversions and a try.
The match, held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, saw France open the scoring in the second minute with hooker Maxime Lamothe driving over after a close-range lineout. Japan briefly gained a one-point lead, but France regained the ascendancy, scoring tries through fullback Matthieu Jalibert and No. 8 Alexandre Roumat.
Lucu darted over after a strong run into contact from Lamothe to score France's fourth try, securing a bonus competition point. Japan cut the margin to 13 points with a try four minutes before the break, but France dominated the second half.
Jalibert scored again in the 43rd minute, changing running angles and taking a short pass on Lucu's inside shoulder to cross near the posts. Lamothe scored his second try in the 51st minute, after sustained forward pressure from the French pack, to make it 42-15.
The win marks a successful three-week tour for the Six Nations champion French, who were coming off a 42-26 win over Australia in Brisbane last week. France had opened the new 12-team tournament with a 34-32 loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand.
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Japan, on the other hand, finished the first phase of the Nations Championship with consecutive losses to Ireland and France, after opening the tournament with a 27-10 win over Italy. The Japanese team had opportunities to score in the second half, but a try was disallowed in the 63rd minute, and they failed to capitalize on a one-man advantage after Jalibert was yellow carded for a high tackle.
The Nations Championship is a new 12-team tournament that features some of the world's top rugby teams. The competition will continue, with teams competing in a series of matches to determine the champion.
The win over Japan marks a significant milestone for France, who are looking to build on their success in the Six Nations Championship. With their dominant performance, they have sent a strong message to their competitors in the Nations Championship.
France's next match will be a crucial one, as they look to continue their winning streak and make a strong claim for the championship title.
Source: Yahoo Sports