The series of consecutive victories of the XV of France is now brought to 13 meetings after a solid opposition against the Braves Blossoms in Toulouse, Sunday (35-17)
MO12345lemonde with AFP
Winner at the mind of Australia and then from South Africa, the XV of France continued its historic victory series by dominating the selection of Japan (35-17), Sunday November 20 in Toulouse, for its last fall test game.
Japan, tenth world nation, had not the chandelier of the two previous visitors but the motivation levers did not fail for the Blues, the possibility of ending the year 2022 undefeated adding to a thirteenth victory consecutive, a record for the national selection.
Even if they had then made the trip without most of their executives, at the end of an exhausting season, the Blues have not forgotten that they had to work twice to overcome ‘A very playful Japanese team last July (42-23 and 20-15). With a caution of circumstance, they also kept in mind the honorable defeat of the Braves Blossoms against New Zealand (38-31) at the end of October, rather than their rout in England (52-13) last week.
Gaël Fickou affected by an ankle
Undefeated since the summer of 2021, falling from all the great nations of world rugby, this French-style French team, favorite of the World Cup organized in France next year, did not have much to fear from Japan at its current level.
Despite the absence of the pillar Cyril Baille and the second line Thibaud Flament, injured, and the melee half and captain Antoine Dupont, suspended, the meeting quickly turned in favor of the French team.
The three-quarter center Gaël Fickou, affected by an ankle, was forced to leave the field in the 16th minute. The Racing 92 player (28, 74 selections), cornerstone of the defense of the Blues. He would suffer from a slight sprain.