Star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has celebrated his return as captain and his scoring touch was not even needed as eight-try France routed Japan 52-12 in Paris.

France opened their Autumn Nations Series with an eight-try victory against Japan, as Antoine Dupont played an influential part on his international return.

France hit a woeful Japan for eight tries in an emphatic 52-12 autumn series win on their Stade de France return on Saturday following last year’s World Cup on home soil, gearing up in style for next weekend’s clash with New Zealand.