Japan 15 - 42 France

● full_time 80 minutes

18 Jul 2026

Nations Championship

Stage: Southern Hemisphere Round 3

MUFG Stadium

Head to Head

🎉 4

👏 4

🔥 4

France started strongly, with Lamothe scoring the opening try just a minute into the game, followed by a conversion from Lucu. Japan responded with a penalty from Matsunaga and a try by Ishida, briefly taking the lead at 8-7. However, a yellow card for Hockings allowed France to capitalize, scoring four tries in quick succession, including another from Jalibert. Japan managed to add a try from Otsuka before halftime, but trailed 28-15 at the break. In the second half, France continued their dominance, with Jalibert and Lucu adding to their tally. The French side showcased their attacking prowess, finishing with a total of six tries and an impressive conversion rate. Japan struggled to keep up, ultimately succumbing to a 42-15 defeat at home.

Broadcasters

Highlights

Events

0' kickoff
1' try Maxime Lamothe
2' conversion Maxime Lucu
6' substitution Florian Verhaeghe
6' substitution Lenni Nouchi
9' penalty Takuro Matsunaga
14' try Kippei Ishida
17' yellow_card Harry Hockings
17' substitution Hugo Auradou
17' substitution Killian Tixeront
18' try Matthieu Jalibert
19' conversion Maxime Lucu
22' try Alexandre Roumat
23' conversion Maxime Lucu
27' yellow_card_complete Harry Hockings
29' try Maxime Lucu
30' conversion Maxime Lucu
34' try Sojiro Otsuka
35' conversion Takuro Matsunaga
40' substitution Florian Verhaeghe
40' half_time
40' second_half
42' try Matthieu Jalibert
43' conversion Romain Ntamack
48' substitution Sojiro Otsuka
48' substitution Esei Haangana
50' try Maxime Lamothe
51' conversion Maxime Lucu
52' substitution Harry Hockings
52' substitution Kippei Ishida
55' substitution Jefferson Poirot
55' substitution Maxime Lamothe
55' substitution Regis Montagne
55' substitution Emmanuel Meafou
55' substitution Yoram Moefana
56' substitution Keijiro Tamefusa
57' yellow_card Matthieu Jalibert
61' substitution Hayate Era
61' substitution Jack Cornelsen
61' substitution Ryunosuke Ito
62' substitution Lenni Nouchi
67' substitution Maxime Lucu
67' yellow_card_complete Matthieu Jalibert
76' yellow_card Marko Gazzotti
80' full_time