French Rugby Team Faces Fiji in Lyon Before a Massive Crowd as Dupont-Ntamack Duo Returns

Sports fans in France were treated to an electrifying showdown on Saturday evening as the French national rugby team (XV de France) faced Fiji at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in the commune of Décines-Charpieu. The match, part of round four of the Nations Series, was broadcast live on TF1.

A Powerful Offensive Start for the French Team

The French squad opened the encounter with relentless attacking pressure, quickly securing a 12-0 lead. The initial spark came via a precision kick pass from star player Antoine Dupont to teammate Attissogbe, before Guillard distributed the ball to Jean-Baptiste Gros, who broke through the defensive line to score the opening try. Les Bleus also capitalized on a powerful rolling maul following a successful lineout throw by Lamothe, allowing the La Rochelle contingent to seal an additional score that reaffirmed the team's sharp form.

The Dupont-Ntamack Reunion Thrills Lyon Fans

The fixture marked a momentous occasion for French rugby enthusiasts nationwide, and particularly in the Rhône-Alpes region, as it featured the return of the premier playmaking partnership, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, starting together in head coach Fabien Galthié's XV for the first time since March 2025—a crucial milestone less than a year away from the Rugby World Cup.

This match represented the national team's return to action four months after their comprehensive 42-15 victory over Japan, continuing their November international campaign which will also feature heavyweight clashes against South Africa and Argentina.

Lyon's Stadium: A Lucky Charm for Les Bleus

Fans turned out in large numbers at the Décines venue, which holds around 59,000 spectators, rekindling fond memories of France's past triumphs at the ground. Notably, the stadium hosted Les Bleus' dominant 60-7 win against Italy during the 2023 World Cup and their thrilling 48-46 victory over England during the 2024 Six Nations Championship.

For their part, Fiji fielded a revised lineup that defied expectations, deploying Rabitu as playmaker instead of Muntz. With Tuisova sidelined, Habosi featured in the centres alongside Masi, while Ravutaumada started on the wing.