| France (21) 35 |
| Tries: Penaud 2, Ollivon, Jelonch Cons: Ramos 3 Pens: Ramos 3 |
| Japan (3) 17 |
| Tries: Saito, Fifita Cons: Lee 2 Pens: Lee |
France’s unbeaten streak grew to 13 games when victory over Japan in Toulouse saw Damian Penaud score two tries.
Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch and Thomas Ramos also scored tries to host next year’s World Cup.
Japan only scored one penalty in the first period, but they converted two tries after that.
Naoto Saito crossed with Siosaia fifita, while Seungsin Lee added the extras.
Penaud seized on to Romain Natamack’s grubber kick as the first try. Ramos then kicked three penalties, and Ollivon, the stand-in captain, added another try.
Shogo Nakano’s break was a boon for Saito, as Japan threatened to come back in the second half. Penaud completed a great team effort to stabilize the French ship.
Fifita scored from close range but Japan was still in the game. Jelonch won for the hosts.
France suffered the only loss in the early stages of the tournament due to the injury to Gael Fiickou, the centre.
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Moefana; Ntamack, Lucu; Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Taofifenua, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Mauvaka, Priso, Falatea, Verhaeghe, Chalureau, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert
Japan: Yamanaka; Riley, Nakano, Nakamura, Fifita; Lee, Saito; Inagak, Sakate, Koo, Dearns, Cornelsen, Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno
Replacements: Horikoshi, Millar, Takeuchi, Van der Walt, Tatafu, Nagare, Nakao, Matsushima