A defeat against South Africa, a tough win against Fiji, and another, far from perfect but much more exciting against Australia. Here are the results of the November touring France XV, who won against the Wallabies (48-33), Saturday November 22, at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis). Fragile in defence, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and his teammates matched him in attack, scoring seven tries, and thus finished 2025 with more successes (6) than defeats (5).
What to remember
- Cador. Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Apart from the ball being snatched from his arms leading to a try against Australia, the Bordeaux winger did everything well during the encounter. Author of two tries – the first, thanks to a superb kicking game –, he also managed two assists, each for his Gironde friend Nicolas Depoortère.
3ᵉ, 0-5: The Blues have not had time to launch the slightest attack, which Australia has finished in the goal, progressing slowly but surely until a strong try from hooker Matt Faessler.
9e5-5: France react quickly thanks to Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The Bordeaux winger accelerated, controlled the entire defense and was spoiled for choice when it came to serving his teammates. The ball finally ended up in the hands of Nicolas Depoortère who scored the goal.
21e7-10: not the fastest in the Australian squad, pillar Angus Bell still manages to score without being caught by the defense, after taking a strong break by pushing Thomas Ramos.
25e12-12: Thomas Ramos wastes no time in rectifying his defensive error with a fine counter on the wing, starting with Julien Marchand’s recovery as the ball lies on the edge of Australia’s messy half.
31e19-12: Louis Bielle-Biarrey doesn’t need anyone to give his team another lead. The winger got past the Australian defense with his pace and a smooth shot over the top to get inside the net unopposed.
36e19-17: Outnumbered after Maxime Lucu’s yellow card, the Blues crack again with another strong try from Matt Faessler.
52e27-19: Nicolas Depoortère scores his double, served up again by Louis Bielle-Biarrey in a diligent launch from the Blues.
56e27-24: Louis Bielle-Biarrey snatches the ball out of his hands, and his mistake moments later is punished by a try from Australian full-back Max Jorgensen, who was quickest to end the counter-attack.
64e32-26: Julien Marchand stretches towards goal and takes credit for France’s advanced maul.
72e39-26: just into the game, Toulouse’s Kalvin Gourgues celebrates his first selection by looking for a break, and serving to Louis Bielle-Biarrey after a long sprint.
76e41-31: pillar Josh Nasser surprises the French defense and will score by playing the penalty with his hands.
79e48-33: Maxime Lamothe ends the Tricolores offensive festival in style by scoring a try after a maul. Thomas Ramos transformed and passed the last two points of the match.
- Declaration. “We are not at the level of four years ago. »
Asked on TF1, the Blues coach, Fabien Galthié, was satisfied with the win against the Wallabies, while admitting that his team still had work to do before the 2027 World Cup.
So it’s true, things aren’t perfect and penalties double on the Stade de France pitch. But both teams put on fine performances, punctuated by 12 tries and at least as many turnarounds. In our rating index which ranges from “A” to “E”, we therefore give it a good grade of “B”.
