France thrash Australia, Ireland and New Zealand victorious in Nations Championship

France, New Zealand and Ireland all claimed important wins in their Nations Championship campaigns on Saturday, beating Australia, Italy and Japan respectively.

A much-changed Ireland ran in five tries to secure a bonus-point 36-20 win over Japan in a scrappy performance in Newcastle, Australia.

The victory secured a full haul of 10 points from their opening two games in the new global competition, and coach Andy Farrell was able to hand debuts to four players.

Japan will take plenty from the game following their victory over Italy last weekend, and only trailed by six points with 10 minutes remaining. It was another impressive performance against the side ranked third in the world, reflecting their recent progression under coach Eddie Jones.

In contrast to the battering they took in open play, Japan enjoyed the upper hand at scrum time, winning several penalties — a concern for Farrell with New Zealand to come at Eden Park next weekend.

Japan host France in Tokyo in their third fixture next Saturday.

Elsewhere, winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored a brace of tries on test debut as France came from behind to crush Australia 42-26 in Brisbane.

Among eight changes to France's starting 15, Olympic sevens gold medallist Grandidier-Nkanang touched down in both halves to help Les Bleus rebound from their 34-32 loss to New Zealand last week with a bonus-point victory.

The Six Nations champions trailed 21-12 at half-time at Suncorp Stadium after two early tries from Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight, but they rallied superbly, scoring 30 unanswered points in a four-try burst to dismantle the hosts.

France will head into their final test of the mid-year phase against Japan with confidence, while Australia, who slumped to their ninth loss in 10 matches, will meet Italy, 47-17 losers to New Zealand earlier on Saturday.

Will Jordan scored a record 50th try for New Zealand in a hat-trick as the All Blacks thrashed Italy 47-17.

The prolific outside back touched down once in the first half and twice in three minutes after half-time at Wellington Regional Stadium to eclipse Doug Howlett's record against the outclassed Italians.