Japan vs France Predictions - France too good for Japan

 

France have the advantage over Japan, with eight victories to none, including one draw in nine meetings.  

Japan hosted Ireland in their second Nations Championship match last weekend, losing 36-26 at home after trailing 19-13 at the break.

Before that, the Brave Blossoms had a perfect start to their campaign, beating Italy 27-10.

Japan occupy fourth place in the Southern Hemisphere table with four points from two matches.

Japan have been in decent nick during the competition, but face a tough challenge when they host France this weekend, as they lost to their opponents by 40 points in 2024.

France produced an excellent second half of rugby in their Nations Championship match against Australia last weekend, winning 42-26 away from home after trailing their hosts 21-12 at half-time. 

Before that victory, France travelled to face New Zealand in their opening fixture, losing 34-32 away from home. 

Les Bleus are in second place in the Northern Hemisphere table with seven points from two games. 

France will be pleased with their second-half performance last weekend, and will fancy their chances of securing all the points on offer, as they have defeated Japan four times in a row.

Japan

Takuro Matsunaga kicked over two conversions and two penalties.

Forwards: Hayate Era, Mamoru Harada, Kenji Sato, Yota Kamimori, Takato Okabe, Sojiro Otsuka, Izi Sword, Shuhei Takeuchi, Keijiro Tamefusa, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Harry Hockings, Michael Stolberg, Tiennan Costley, Ben Gunter, Esei Ha'angana, Michael Leitch, Waisake Raratubua, Kanji Shimokawa

Backs: Takuro Hojo, Itsuki Kamimura, Naoto Saitō, Haruto Watanabe, Ryunosuke Ito, Shinya Komura, Samisoni Tua, Yuya Hirose, Shōgo Nakano, Dylan Riley, Inoke Burua, Kippei Ishida, Haruto Kida, Kazuma Ueda, Takuro Matsunaga, Shunsuke Uenobo

France

Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored a brace against Australia last weekend.

Emmanuel Meafou, Romain Ntamack, Florian Verhaeghe, and Theo Attissogbe scored a try each in the match.

Maxime Lucu slotted three conversions and two penalties.

Forwards: Maxime Lamothe, Barnabé Massa, Peato Mauvaka, Moses Alo-Emile, Demba Bamba, Sipili Falatea, Régis Montagne, Jefferson Poirot, Tevita Tatafu, Reda Wardi, Hugo Auradou, Mickaël Guillard, Emmanuel Meafou, Boris Palu, Tom Staniforth, Florian Verhaeghe, Pierre Bochaton, Esteban Capilla, Marko Gazzotti, Oscar Jégou, Temo Matiu, Lenni Nouchi, Alexandre Roumat, Killian Tixeront

Backs: Paul Graou, Nolann Le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, Romain Ntamack, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Auguste Cadot, Nicolas Depoortère, Émilien Gailleton, Kalvin Gourgues, Yoram Moefana, Théo Attissogbe, Mathis Ferté, Théo Forner, Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Damian Penaud, Max Spring