France v Fiji: Five takeaways from the Rugby World Cup warm-up as duo put on a show in Nantes

James While
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France number eight Gregory Alldritt against Fiji.

France number eight Gregory Alldritt against Fiji.

Following a 34-17 victory for France over Fiji in their Rugby World Cup warm-up clash, here’s our five takeaways from the game in Nantes.

The top line

After the previous matches of the weekend the visit of Fiji to France must have put a smile on the faces of all who watched it as both teams produced a little crackerjack of a match that saw Les Bleus successfully explore their depth and the Flying Fijians demonstrating they are an outstanding team with ball in hand.

Tries from Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio and an absolute snorter from Sekou Macalou were supported by seven successful kicks off the tee from the returning Melvyn Jaminet, whilst Semi Radradra and Tevita Ikanivere grabbed a pair for the visitors, just rewards for their ambition and industry.

Above all, the teams came away with 23 fit players apiece, a bonus at this stage, and a wonderfully entertained crowd as France recorded their 12th successive win on home soil in a thoroughly entertaining match refereed in great spirit by Nika Amashukeli, who enjoyed a rather quieter evening that a week ago.

Returnees and newbies

France will be delighted to see some of their injury worry players show they’re up to speed and fit. Francois Cros, a vital cog in their breakdown wheel, carried on clearing up and disrupting rucks as if he’d never been away. Elsewhere, Arthur Vincent put in a display of absolute top quality Test centre play, showing his leadership and defensive qualities, and they’ll be delighted that the promising tighthead Thomas Laclayat made his debut and was solid enough.

At half-back, Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Serin showed contrasting skill-sets at nine, with the former really bossing the early stages of the match in the way he does for Bordeaux-Begles week in and week out, whilst at full-back, Jaminet showed he can offer a secure pair of hands and a massive boot should France wish to switch Thomas Ramos to 10.

With Mauvaka shining at both two and eight, and Macalou in rampant form, France will be pretty pleased heading into the Australia match next week.

Fiji accuracy

After watching the plodfest that was Ireland v England and in particular, England’s dreadful performance at the breakdown, it was pleasing to see the work of all 15 Fijians in that area. Led by the brilliant Levani Botia and with massive shifts from Viliame Mata and, off the bench, Albert Tuisue, the visitors piled into rucks and the breakdown with both accuracy and commitment.

The result was some sensational speed of ball for their outstanding scrum-half, Frank Lomani, who got his big men running from deep and at pace into the French midfield.

It was only the excellence of both Jonathan Danty, who snared two turnovers, and Vincent that prevented more tries for Fiji and the visitors can be remarkably pleased with the chances they created.

Number 10

Moving forward, Fabien Galthie needs to decide who is running the French show at 10. Antoine Hastoy had an impressive outing and options exist elsewhere with the ability of Ramos to play as the fly-half, or there’s even talk of moving Antoine Dupont back a number in order to utilise the immense depth France have at scrum-half.

But the favourite is Matthieu Jalibert and he came on for 20 minutes and put in another stellar display, controlling exit strategy and attacking ambition in the way everyone knows he can. But the thing that will please France most of all is that Shaun Edwards rather than Laurent Labit will be the man singing Jalibert’s praises as he smashed eight tackles in his outing, missing not one, something that’s always been a concern about his game skills.

All in all, there’s a myriad of options, but tonight Jalibert showed that the one flaw within his game has been shored up and he remains the favourite to be the French fly-half against New Zealand on September 8.

The bottom line

France host the Wallabies next week and it’s now a case of self-preservation being top of their shopping list. The players are firing, options and combinations are emerging, and, other than giving Anthony Jelonch a possible outing, the emphasis will be on keeping their superstars fit and allowing fringe players a thank you cap.

The core of their team – the likes of Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Dupont and Danty cannot be risked given both injury and card attrition, but the French side looks absolutely as sharp as a tack and whoever they field they will push Australia all the way.

For Fiji they visit Twickenham knowing they have an attack capable of scoring enough points to beat England and a breakdown that is far, far superior to that of Steve Borthwick’s team. With the Red Rose in disarray and with Fiji sporting more world class players than England can even dream of, they must go into this game with their highest ever hopes of recording a shattering win at Twickenham.

It might even be after the relative performances on Saturday that some pundits might make them favourites – they earned that tag tonight and all in rugby will wish them well for their encounter next weekend.

READ MORE: Ireland v England: Five takeaways from the Rugby World Cup warm-up as Red Rose plummet to new low

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