To know what to expect, it is difficult to dig into the archives: the Blues have faced the Brave Blossoms only four times, for three victories (30-18 in 1973, 51-29 in 2003, 47-21 in 2011) before a disastrous draw (23-23), during their last opposition in November 2017 at the Paris-La Défense Arena.

Almost five years later, only Damian Penaud (Clermont) and Sekou Macalou (Stade français) are still there.

Antoine Dupont or Teddy Thomas, also present during the Nanterre draw, were left to rest for this summer tour, the first in Asia for Fabien Galthié's men.

Since then, the Japanese have reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, played at home.

And then... almost nothing.

The pandemic has indeed left only crumbs for the Japanese XV: eight international matches in two and a half years - against 25 for the Blues at the same time - and only three victories against Portugal (38-25) and Uruguay (34-15 and 43-7).

These last two successes, just before receiving France, nevertheless demonstrated that the Japanese had not lost everything during this forced break.

Electric Rugby

The men of New Zealand coach Jamie Joseph are still this electric rugby team, made of speed and change of pace.

"One of the biggest challenges I have faced since the 2019 World Cup, like many other people around the world in sports teams, is the pandemic," the Japanese coach recently underlined. .

Japan coach Jamie Joseph next to his players after the World Cup quarter-final lost against South Africa on October 20, 2019 in Tokyo Behrouz MEHRI AFP / Archives

"The first year (in 2020) we didn't play, and last year we only played a few matches. And so we are clearly behind in terms of development," added Joseph.

Admittedly, the Blossoms have not become again this team capable of surprising South Africa (34-32 victory) at the 2015 World Cup or of hanging Australia (32-23 defeat) and Scotland (29-20 defeat). ) more recently.

But they are not these wandering players either, humiliated by Ireland (60-5) in the fall.

To respond to Japanese speed, as much as to the heat/humidity combination which will inevitably have effects on the organisms, the staff has also favored "more mobile, lighter players", according to the director of the performance by Thibault Giroud.

The indestructible Shota Horie

"Japan has a lot more images of our matches than we of them," explained second row Thomas Lavault.

"It's a team that puts a lot of speed and movement, which is very structured. They follow their game plan, so we will have to respond in the commitment and in the fight", added the Rochelais.

No question therefore for the Blues, second in the world rankings and winners of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, to overuse this meeting on the other side of the globe.

"A few years ago, Japan was a bit below in terms of level. Today, that's not the case anymore. When you look at the Japanese team that we will face next weekend, it inspires us with fear. And so much the better because it allows us to better prepare for this tour. We know that our opponent will be up to it, "warned forwards coach William Servat.

Japanese hooker Shota Horie during the World Cup match against Scotland on October 13, 2019 in Yokohama William WEST AFP/Archives

And the former hooker knows what he's talking about: he had fought against Japan (47-21) during the 2011 World Cup.

Present then in the camp opposite, Shota Horie, 36 years old today, could well challenge the Blues on Saturday during the first test.

© 2022 AFP