France earned a convincing 42-15 victory over Japan in the Nations Championship on Saturday, producing a strong attacking display led by captain Maxime Lucu. Playing in Tokyo, the French side pulled clear with a mix of finishing power and reliable kicking.
Lucu was central to the win, finishing with 15 points from a try and five conversions. His all-around influence helped France turn scoring chances into a comfortable margin as the visitors kept pressure on Japan throughout the match.
Matthieu Jalibert and hooker Maxime Lamothe each crossed for two tries, giving France a major boost in attack. Their finishing highlighted the depth of France’s offense and helped the team build momentum as the game unfolded.
The result gives France a notable Nations Championship win while Japan was left chasing the game after France’s repeated breakthroughs. With Lucu directing play and multiple players contributing tries, France delivered one of its more complete performances of the campaign.
