France returned to the top of the Northern Hemisphere group in the Nations Championship with a commanding 54-17 win over Fiji in Lyon on Saturday, scoring eight tries in a performance that was as ruthless as it was costly.

Les Bleus led 26-3 at half-time and never loosened their grip. Jean-Baptiste Gros, Sipili Falatea, Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Kalvin Gourgues, Theo Attissogbe, Charles Ollivon and captain Antoine Dupont all crossed, with a penalty try in the 22nd minute taking the tally to eight. Gourgues and Maxime Lucu shared the kicking duties.

Fiji, who started the match with ten France-based players, fought hard and scored through Vinaya Habosi and Selestino Ravutaumada, with Ben Volavola adding two conversions and Simione Kuruvoli a penalty. But it was a fourth straight defeat in the competition for the Flying Fijians, who sit bottom of the Southern Hemisphere section without a point.

The win came at a price. Fly-half Romain Ntamack, starting alongside Dupont at half-back for the first time since March 2025, left the field in the 33rd minute after appearing to dislocate his shoulder in the build-up to France's third try. With Matthieu Jalibert already injured, France will face world champions South Africa next week without either of their first-choice fly-halves.

France move to 17 points, two clear of Ireland, ahead of Friday's heavyweight meeting with the Springboks at the Stade de France. Fiji head to Dublin to face Ireland next.