Paris in November a time when the city of lights is illuminated that little bit longer as the days shorten and the evenings lengthen.

The brightly lit cafés and restaurants give off an enticing warm glow that call you like the sirens in Greek mythology who lured sailors to destruction by the sweetness of their song.

But this is business, the start of France’s Autumn international campaign and the French capital welcomes the rugby men from the land of the rising scrum.

On 25 November 2017 at the U Arena in Paris, with 74 mins on the clock and the scores tied 23-23, Yu Tamara lined up a simple conversion that would have given Japan victory.

Had the kick been successful, it would have given Japan their first ever win over France. The drawn game was a creditable result for the Cherry Blossoms, but a golden opportunity to make history was well and truly blown.

It was a result and a performance that drew an avalanche of jeers on the final whistle from the frustrated home fans. France won just three of their 11 tests in 2017 and this was the final game of their Annus horribilis.

Eight years later and the French phoenix that has risen stratospherically from those ashes is unrecognisable in thought, word, and deed from that depressing night in Nanterre.

Last night at Stade de France in one of those 9pm kick-offs that makes time for one of France’s other great passions-Dinner, the Cherry Blossoms found Autumn defoliation a painful process.

The 80,000 crowd were treated to a demolition job by the boys in blue. Defeat was never on the cards as eight try France blew away a Japanese side that came to life in the second half, but it was never going to be enough against the pace and power of the French.

An astonished fever pitch crowd witnessed the unthinkable after just third four seconds, a mistake from Antoine Dupont and an event seen as infrequently as Halley’s Comet. The number nine had his clearance kick charged down and Japan were inches away from the most amazing start.

But two tries in the opening ten minutes from Bielle-Biarrey and Gailleton set the platform. Despite elements of rustiness, further first half tries from Roumat, Mauvaka, and another from Belle-Biarrey provided the rugby equivalent of WD40 to give France a 31-0 half-time lead.

Les Bleus started the second half brightly with a try from Gros before Paul Boudehent grabbed a brace.

Japan got on the scoreboard in the 50th and 61st minute with tries from Tatekawa and Tatafu.

A 52-12 final score was a fair reflection of the game, and France will be delighted with the run out as a sterner test looms next week against the All Blacks.

The Cherry Blossoms have been scattered by the high-powered French leaf blower now it’s time to sweep away the Black Ferns it’s an exciting time in the French capital.