Several French players scored points during the big victory against Japan. In front, Emmanuel Meafou and Peato Mauvaka imposed their power and their activity. When, behind, Louis Bielle-Biarrey was electric and Thomas Ramos a perfect metronome.
A mixed match for the Parisian. Author of a magnificent defensive return from the first minute, he subsequently had few opportunities to stand out. Clean under the balls or in his kicking game, he had some well-felt interventions in the line. But he also lacked continuity in other sequences, like when he forgot Attissogbe at the end of the line in the second half. He also missed two tackles. Replaced by Jalibert (51e), which was intercepted on Tatafu’s try (61e).
14. Théo Attissogbe: 6.5/10
Certainly, he did not have the chance to score a third try for his third selection. But, starting at the last moment after Damian Penaud’s withdrawal, the Pau winger did not let himself be impressed and was to his advantage this Saturday. Author of several good interventions on his wing, notably in the first period, he also came to the heart of the game on various occasions, where his speed and his hooks did some damage (one crossing and four defenders beaten). But he came out at the very end of the meeting, visibly seriously affected. A big downside.
13. Émilien Gailleton: 7/10
Established in the center of the attack, he necessarily had a little pressure on his shoulders. But he quickly reassured. Author of an excellent first half overall, rewarded by his first international try (10e). Always precise in attack (a crossing and a defender beaten), he was especially to be credited with a remarkable defensive performance, with thirteen tackles (for only one missed) and a scratch in his 22 meters (25e). Replaced by Fickou (56e)
Preferred at kick-off over Gaël Fickou, he was one of the surprises at the start of the week in terms of team composition. But he justified, on the ground, the choice of the French staff. Author of a crossing (he also beat two defenders) and often launched as the first attacker, he was so valuable in fixing the Japanese defense in the center of the field. Available in the game, in addition to being effective in defense (twelve successful tackles), he is credited with a good intervention on the Gailleton try (10e) and a nice relay on that of Bielle-Biarrey (28e). A full match.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 8.5/10
What a fire in the legs! It’s simple: every time a ball passes through his hands, a shiver runs through the stands of the Stade de France… and the backs of his opponents. Author of a double on his left wing (4e et 28e), he once again demonstrated that he possessed all the qualities to be an international level finisher. But well beyond that, he once again created numerous gaps and was at the origin of several breaches in the Japanese wall, thanks to his speed and his support (four crossings, five defenders beaten, 118 meters covered).
He was eagerly awaited with his replacement at the opening, he clearly responded. Very comfortable in the offensive animation, he was decisive with first an interval catch and a skipped pass on the first attempt of Bielle-Biarrey (4e). He again offered himself a decisive pass, this time with his foot (10e), then a cross which led to the Blues’ fourth try. Author of six out of eight against the posts, he was also reassuring in defense. His tenure at number 10 was one of the real winning choices of the evening. He finished the match at the back after the entry of Jalibert.
Despite a complicated start to the match, since he was blocked from the start and was the author of a bad pass (5e), he then raised his level of play to be a permanent poison. Precious in his occupation on the foot, in particular thanks to his length, he animated perfectly upwind – with some classy gestures – and above all accelerated the ball releases when the situation required it. Decisive on Mauvaka’s try (34e), with a “one-two”, he made several important tackles and offered himself a huge crossing at the 54e minute. If he had a little waste, he has already put his mark on this XV of France. Replaced by Lucu (65e).
Icon Sport – Hugo Pfeiffer
Even if he has not returned to the performance of his best seasons, the third center line has undoubtedly met the expectations of the staff. A good “contest” in the first period (27e). Lots of defensive activity. He also finished the match as the best French tackler with 22 tackles. Offensively, he was often well placed. Like this clear crossing, well served by a chistera by Antoine Dupont.
7. Alexandre Roumat: 6.5/10
For his first start in five selections, he scored his first try in the tricolor jersey (19e). Good under dismissals, he often played fair. As a result, he was sanctioned three times. The first on illegal offensive support on the ground (16e), the second in touch for having caught the arm of the Japanese second line Dearns (26e), the third for offside (32e) forty meters from the French line. However, his versatility allowed the staff to juggle the injured.
Even if he carried the ball on a few occasions, the Toulouse flanker was often the transmission belt in the French system. Often the first on the offensive supports, he was not sanctioned despite the seven penalties whistled against the Blues in the first period. In short, he was invaluable in working behind the scenes. Eleven tackles for 100% success. He was replaced at the break by Mickaël Guillard.
5. Emmanuel New : 8/10
Frankly, we would not have liked to be a Japanese defender crossing paths with the Toulouse second line. With each ball, he moved forward. Not by one, nor two, but each time by three, four or five meters, rolling over his opponents. Which perhaps explains why he was the French forward who covered the most meters with ball in hand, even leaving the Stade de France pitch in the 52nd minute.e minute. And without doing any crazy races. He was replaced by Julien Marchand.
Icon Sport – Hugo Pfeiffer
4. Thibaud Flament (not rated)
He only played for half an hour, but he was invaluable during that time. He was one of the relays on Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s first try (4e). It was again he who first crossed the Japanese defensive curtain before Gailleton’s try (10e). Injured, he was forced to give up his place to Paul BoudehentAlexandre Roumat then moving up to the second row. The Rochelais (7,5/10) made a good comeback, showing his power and scoring two tries in the second half.
3. Avoid Tatafu : 5,5/10
For his first, we expected him to be a little more dominant in closed scrum. He was also penalized for offside at the start of the match (5e). Perhaps he was also taken a little by the emotion of his first appearance in the rooster’s jersey. He was still often well placed in the running game. Three passes for a right pillar is not nothing. However, William Servat had warned that he would lack a little rhythm. He was right. He was replaced by George-Henri Colombe (51st)
As usual, he responded. In combat and in activity. We even found it on the cover of the 3e curtain on a somewhat disjointed action in the middle of the first period. He also offered himself a solo try on a quickly played touch with his scrum half Antoine Dupont placed first in the line-up (35e). And finished the match as flanker. In short, a very good match from the Toulouse hooker (or fourth third row).
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros: 7.5/10
Not necessarily ultra-dominant in closed scrums, the Toulonnais distinguished himself in defense. At the break, he had made 14 tackles for 100% success like his third row Grégory Alldritt. And posted 17 tackles upon his release. A pharaonic figure for a pillar. He also gave himself a try at the start of the second half. He is replaced at 53e minute of the match by Reda Wardi.
