France vs Japan Prediction: Les Bleus can blow away Brave Blossom

After a 64-19 thumping at the hands of New Zealand at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama last month, things don’t get any easier for Eddie Jones’ Japan when they take on France at the Stade de France on Saturday (kick-off 20:10, TNT Sports 2).

Read on for my France vs Japan prediction, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

It’s a first run out for France since a 33-25 defeat to Argentina at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires in July and, with a host of their big names back in the starting line-up, including the iconic Antoine Dupont, a one-sided affair might well be on the cards in Paris this weekend.

Team News

Making a first appearance for the men’s 15s team since the World Cup, Toulouse superstar Dupont returns at scrum-half and he will be partnered by Thomas Ramos in the half-backs.

Leo Barre comes in at full-back for just his sixth cap and is joined in a back-three by Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Japan, Jones has decided to make seven changes from the side that suffered that heavy defeat to the All Blacks in Yokohama last month.

Mamoru Harada, Epineri Uluiviti and Kanji Shimokawa come into the pack, while the likes of Naoto Saito, Tomoki Osada, Siosaia Fifita and Malo Tuitama have been introduced into the backs.

France vs Japan Odds

Overwhelming favourites as they are, there are no odds for a straight French win on Saturday, while Japan to cause a major shock is Paris is currently available at 22/1, giving the visitors a 4.3% chance,

A draw on the night is at 33/1, while Japan to be holding a surprise lead at the half-time whistle is currently 17/2.

France -35 Handicap @ 1/1

Having leaked 64 points against the All Blacks, Japan have now conceded 105 points in their last two games, having previously lost 41-17 to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup in September.

Those defensive issues will be a concern for Jones, who had a similar issue during his second stint in charge of Australia before losing his job with the Wallabies after the 2023 World Cup.

With Dupont able to set the pace of the match, expect France to be relentless for the full 80 minutes and they should be able to overcome the substantial -35 handicap at the Stade de France.

Anytime Tryscorer - Thomas Ramos @ 21/20

Given the No.10 jersey for this weekend, Toulouse utility back Ramos looks capable of adding to the five tries he’s already scored for his country.

Ramos has scored four tries in eight Top 10 appearances for Toulouse this season and interestingly, the two times he was not at full-back but at fly-half, he scored tries in both games.

With Dupont able to make breaks and pull in defenders around the breakdown, Ramos is good value to continue his try scoring run at fly-half this season.

Offers

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.