France returned to the top of the Northern Hemisphere Nations Championship table with a 54-17 win over Jake White's Fiji in Paris on Saturday, but the victory came with a significant injury concern heading into next week's clash with South Africa.
Romain Ntamack, playing alongside captain Antoine Dupont at halfback for the first time since March, appeared to dislocate his shoulder in the build-up to France's third try and did not complete the match. With Mathieu Jalibert already sidelined, France will face the world champions without either of their frontline flyhalves.
France crossed for eight tries through props Jean-Baptiste Gros and Sipili Falatea, winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, centre Kalvin Gourgues, fullback Théo Attissogbe, replacement Charles Ollivon, Dupont and a penalty try, with Gourgues and Maxime Lucu sharing the kicking duties. Fiji's response came through centre Vinaya Habosi, who beat four defenders to score, and Selestino Ravutaumada.
Dupont took player of the match honours and was the dominant figure throughout, but France's performance was far from polished despite the scoreline. Fiji, who started with 10 France-based players including their entire backline, were competitive in patches — Top 14 leading finisher Jiuta Wainiqolo was largely kept quiet — but slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat in the inaugural competition.
France sit two points clear of Ireland at the top of the standings. The flyhalf situation, however, looms large: they have lost nine of their last 10 Tests against the Springboks, and whoever fills the number 10 jersey next weekend will face a considerably sterner examination.