Japan Defeated by France in Tokyo
The Brave Blossoms suffered a 15-42 defeat to France on Saturday in round three of the Nations Championship at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Played in hot and humid conditions in front of a strong crowd of nearly 53,000 fans, a brave Japan could not match the power and precision of a French side playing at the height of their powers.
Japan scored all their points in the first half with tries to winger, Kippei Ishida and loosehead prop, Sojiro Otsuka. Ishida’s was a stunning backline try that started when rookie flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito fielded a kick deep in French territory. Running the across halfway, he drew in the defence before a snappy offload to Dylan Riley. The big centre then timed his pass perfectly to the flying Ishida who broke away to score unopposed.
Otsuka’s close range try came off the back of a quick-tap five meters from the French line. Following the initial drive, the young prop secured the ball at the base of the ruck before driving over the line. It was a special moment for the 22-year-old who still plays his club rugby in Japan’s university competition.
While Japan’s two tries were highlights, the remainder of the afternoon was tough going. The monstrous French pack was unrelenting in their physicality, particularly in their play in tight. Their driving maul was a formidable attacking weapon and put the Brave Blossoms forwards under constant pressure throughout the match.
Going into the halftime break, Japan trailed by 13 points with the score at 15-28. There was still everything to play for, but as play resumed in the second half, uncharacteristic errors started to creep into the Japanese game. Aware that they needed to keep scoring to have any chance of chasing down their opponents, the Brave Blossoms started to push their passes and take higher risk options.
Through the combination of French pressure, growing fatigue and a slippery ball caused by the humid conditions, Japan’s passes started to go astray, balls were knocked on and mistakes began to pile up. Despite their strong defensive effort that kept going for the full 80 and their continued willingness to make opportunities in attack, Japan just couldn’t find a way to break the French line.
While it was a tough match, with an equally tough scoreline, this young Brave Blossoms side will take a lot from the experience and use these lessons as they continue their preparations for next year’s World Cup. A further positive was the performance of the younger players in the squad. Ryunosuke Ito and Sojiro Otsuka, both still university players, showed massive potential across the last four weeks, firstly with the JAPAN XV and then in their three test matches for Japan. Alongside them, Saturday’s test debutants Shunsuke Uenobo, Izi Sword and Esei Haangana all showed enough to suggest more test match opportunities will come their way.
Commenting after the match, Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones said:
“We got beaten convincingly in two areas today. Firstly in the maul – they scored five of their six tries through their maul, and they convincingly won the battle in the air. With the shorter stature of our wingers, we have to find a better way to compete in that area. They are two great lessons for us.
“I was pleased with the commitment of the players today. I thought they really stuck at it, played hard, played together and they didn’t give up. Full credit to France who are on the back of a long season. They played with plenty of spirit and commitment as well. So well done to France, but also well done to my boys. It was a great lesson for us, and we know what we’ve got to improve on. ”
The Brave Blossoms now have three weeks to prepare for their two-test, home and away series against the Wallabies. The action kicks off at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashi-Osaka on Saturday, August 8 with the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026. Japan then travel to Townsville in North Queensland to take on Australia at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 15 in the Lipovitan D Challenge Tour 2026.
Tickets for the first match in Hanazono are nearly all sold out. Fans looking to catch the action live can pick up the last remaining tickets via the JRFU’s English-language ticketing website at: https://quick.pia.jp/japan-rugby_en/.