France tops Nations Championship table despite missing key players

France secured the top spot in the Northern Hemisphere standings of the 2026 Nations Championship's Southern Hemisphere leg, a significant achievement considering coach Fabien Galthié toured without many of his established stars Planet Rugby reports on France's performance. The squad, largely composed of developing talent, demonstrated remarkable depth, winning two of three away Tests and accumulating 12 points.

This performance is particularly notable as key players like Antoine Dupont, Grégory Alldritt, and Julien Marchand were either rested, injured, or withheld due to Top 14 commitments. Their absence allowed a broader group of 35 players opportunities, showcasing France's considerable player pool ahead of critical future competitions.

Navigating tough southern Tests

The French campaign began with a narrow 34-32 loss to the All Blacks in Christchurch, a match where France, despite being without its customary spine, came close to a historic victory. The outlet detailed a nine-try thriller featuring seven lead changes, with Matthieu Jalibert orchestrating the attack and Damian Penaud scoring early.

Following this, France delivered a decisive 42-26 win against the Wallabies in Brisbane. Emmanuel Meafou, a player with Australian ties, opened the scoring. Despite trailing 21-12 at halftime, France scored 30 unanswered points to claim their first Brisbane victory in 54 years and their highest ever score against Australia Planet Rugby highlights this historic win.

The tour concluded with a dominant 40-15 victory over Argentina. France secured a try bonus point in every match and scored 116 points while conceding 75 across the three Tests. This overall showing underscores the country's growing rugby prowess.

Implications for future campaigns

The success of this developmental squad bodes well for Les Bleus. With back-to-back Six Nations titles, the current Nations Championship, and the looming 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, France aims to capitalize on this era of talent. Planet Rugby notes the importance of this year for the national team, which includes a November home leg opening against Fiji.

The upcoming November Tests against Fiji, Scotland, and the Argentina are crucial next steps for this squad as they integrate the returning stars. This strong showing during the Southern Hemisphere leg provides valuable experience and confidence for Galthié's wider group, setting a strong foundation for both immediate challenges and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. For more information on international rugby developments, you can see our world rugby coverage.