Six matches, two hat-tricks, some heavy scores and one genuine shock: round two of the Nations Championship delivered on Saturday. While the favourites broadly held their rank, France sprang a surprise by winning on Australian soil. Here is the breakdown.

France turn Australia over and make a statement

This is the result that will be remembered from the round. At Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, France spent a long time fearing a familiar script. Trailing 21-12 at the break, rocked by an enterprising Wallabies side and by two tries from Fraser McReight alone, they changed everything after the interval.

Driven by a Ntamack-Jalibert axis paired together at last, Fabien Galthié’s men scored 30 unanswered points to win 42-26. Debutant Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored twice on his first cap, while Emmanuel Meafou and Florian Verhaeghe, opponents in the Top 14 final a fortnight earlier, both crossed. A week on from their narrow reverse at the All Blacks (34-32), France could hardly have responded better, and move provisionally to the top of their hemisphere.

England humiliate Fiji, Pollock puts on a show

Further north, a different face of the game was on display. In Suva, England made short work of Fiji, hammering them 73-8. They ran through an attacking festival, led by a hat-trick from young back-rower Henry Pollock, one of the sensations of the season. A display of power and tempo that sends a message to the rest of the competition.

New Zealand within themselves, Will Jordan on fire

In the same vein, New Zealand never wobbled against Italy (47-17). The All Blacks, who had beaten France a week earlier, managed the match without ever being troubled, driven by a hat-trick from full-back Will Jordan, as sharp as ever in space. The world order was respected without argument.

Ireland, South Africa and Argentina take care of business

In the heavyweights’ wake, the other favourites did the job. Ireland controlled Japan (36-20) without ever being in danger. World champions South Africa enforced the pecking order against a spirited but outgunned Scotland (42-28). And Argentina saw off a Wales side still deep in rebuilding (35-21), thanks in particular to a brace from Joaquin Oviedo.

The pecking order confirmed, with a French upset on top

On balance, this second round will not have overturned many certainties: the leading nations held their rank, often in style, and the margins were frequently emphatic. But it will be remembered for France’s feat in Brisbane, the only genuine surprise on a night dominated by the favourites. A promising sign for the rest of this new Nations Championship, which is already building in intensity.