Japan fail to make A grade

France A defeated Asian champions Japan 40-23 on a rain-drenched pitch at Villeneuve d'Ascq, outside Lille, yesterday.

Despite taking the lead briefly early in the game the Japanese were overwhelmed by their French opponents to trail 23-9 at half-time.

Not even a second-half surge with two tries by Daisuke Ohata and Masahiko Toyoyama could turn the game around for the Japanese, after the French had built up a solid lead with four tries, two from Yannick Bru, one by Christope Milheres and a penalty try.

However coach Seiji Hirao said that he was pleased with how his team of largely inexperienced and young players performed.

"The result is not good, but the method of play is correct," he said.

The Japanese travel to Dublin today, playing the Ireland under25s at Ravenhill in midweek, and Ireland in a Test on Saturday week.