Mentally winning Australia and then South Africa, the XV of France continued its historic series of victories by dominating the selection of Japan (35-17), Sunday, November 20 in Toulouse, for its last test match. of autumn.
Japan, the tenth nation in the world, did not have the luster of the two previous visitors, but the motivation levers were not lacking for the Blues, the possibility of finishing the year 2022 undefeated in addition to a thirteenth consecutive victory, a record for the national team.
Even if last July they had made the trip without most of their executives, after a grueling season, the Blues have not forgotten that they had to work twice to overcome a very playful Japanese team (42-23 and 20-15). With circumstantial caution, they also kept in mind the honorable defeat of the Braves Blossoms against New Zealand (38-31) at the end of October, rather than the rout suffered by them in England (52-13) last week.
Gaël Fickou hit in an ankle
Undefeated since the summer of 2021, fallen from all the major nations of world rugby, this French team full of character, favorites for the World Cup organized in France next year, did not however have much to fear from the Japan at its current level.
Despite the absence of prop Cyril Baille, second row Thibaud Flament, injured, and scrum half and captain Antoine Dupont, suspended, the game quickly turned in favor of the France team.
The three-quarter center Gaël Fickou, hit in an ankle, was forced to leave the field from the 16the minute. The Racing 92 player (28 years old, 74 caps) is a cornerstone of the defense of the Blues. He would suffer from a slight sprain.
