Official priority for the next two weeks, with avoiding war in Ukraine? Deflate our boulards of journalist supporters and not shout at the Grand Slam too soon. We know the story, and the general level of the tournament, apart from these poor Italian devils, does not yet encourage the bamboche of the century, since the three games that come are quite poor in one way or another. .
But still: France is the last unbeaten team of this tournament and the best placed to win, even without a Grand Slam. That's why we believe in it, after having passed Ireland at the 1.000 spin.
Because Jaminet's boot
OK, the handsome hidalgo from Perpignan went a little through on high balls in the first half, especially on (Mikkel) Hansen's cap try . But then what a taulier when it comes to investigating strikes. Only one failure in nine attempts, which surprised everyone in the stands as they are so rare with him, but then for the rest, Melvyn is really our sure foot. Even at 50 meters, the rear of the Blues is able to send praloche without giving the impression of forcing. From follower memory, it's been a long time since we had a 90% scorer for a decade.
Because our physical intensity
“We knew they were going to make war on us in the rucks, we expected it, and we were there even if they stole a few balls from us ". Thibaut Flament said it all. Faced with the best team in the world when it is fought on the ground, the French team was capable of a ferocity on impact that we did not know it, even scraping three penalties in this sector before the break.
The brute force of our stalwarts, as in Baille's try, Jelonch's 16 tackles, the yards won by Aldritt in tribute to the Super Bowl, and the activity of Cros, were remarkable: "We knew that Ireland kept a lot of balls, and when you let them impose their rhythm, they are really dangerous, summed up the latter. It went through a big fight on the ground game. Fight won on points, like Francis Ngannou. Aspen Murrayfield.
Because our discipline
“Six penalties conceded I think, is that it guys? “Fabien Galthié did not have an answer to his reminder right away, but it was because the coach wanted to have a small effect. Despite the truly amazing physical dimension of this match, the Blues were only sanctioned seven times, i.e. 50% fewer faults than against the Italians at the start. A report that corresponds more to the standards required to win a tournament. Galthié always:
“Penalties are the consequences of behavior. It's part of our training during the week, with a referee accompanying us on everything. We are still working on the rule with Jérôme Garcès, his pedagogy accompanies us in defense and attack. We found good regulation in a very special game. ”Because the French flair of our hinge
In the fall, it was Romain Ntamack's fiery relaunch from the back of the in-goal to overturn a match which smelled of fir. This time. A touch quickly played after 30 seconds of play by Antoine Dupont, when we were barely there. The following ? A sweep from left to right as at the hairdresser, then a surplus well felt by the son of Milou who found his club partner inside with a rather insane blind pass. Seven points in a jiffy, and a bland explanation from the best player in the world: “Nobody scored Romain on the sidelines, so we weren’t going to wait! We all wanted to stretch our legs, which is good is that everyone followed. Simple, right?
France strike first... #FRAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/EwcWn0QCK6
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Because the grinta de Villière
A dog's match for wingers with a desire for the open sea, just the opposite of last week. But no matter, Gabin Villière finds his bowl in all the little pleasures of life. A candle to receive, a blow of helmet to give in a maul, a rear to push in the Seine, the Toulon winger, mixture of Clerc and Dominici transmits his rage and his character to all his teammates. Superb anecdote from Galthié in post-match conf.
"During the presentation of the shirts, An important moment for us, because we want to celebrate each milestone, Gabin said "I'm going to be there, you'll see, the war, I'm going to animate it". Actions followed. He makes promises to his friends, he keeps them. With Gabin to the end of the world.
Because we can be improved
One wonders how, at this level, one can take such a test. Dismissal of the Irish in agony after six minutes (10-0), then Jaminet and Penaud who look at each other in bewilderment and let Hansen slip away on trial. In all, four dismissals after scoring will be badly negotiated by the Blues, giving the Irish opportunities to pick up from a crumb of bread.
“On the first, it was a careless mistake, we thought they were going to hit the other side, remembers François Cros. On the second, we recover the ball but we are not effective in support. It's ten gift points that put them back in the game. A copy-paste of the Blacks there too, which proves that the French team does not control everything, far from it, and that it can still improve its management of weak times.
Because it's the Irish who say so
Always surprising to read the rave reviews from the Anglo-Saxon press about us, we're not used to it. If Andy Farrell was satisfied with a "Well done and congratulations to them", recalling that the Blues had just done their job in their two home games, our colleagues from the Irish Times were much less reserved: "Ireland fell on stronger than her. The French will certainly be champions next month. Their combination of ball-in-hand, flower, and fly ball talent is quite special. »
Matt Williams with the right perspective here.
Ireland had more possession (54v46), more meters gained (613v558), 3 tries v 2.
Yes it's a loss, but there's a lot of good things to build on.#FRAvIRL@theirishpost @IrishPostSport https://t.co/94nodfA4sO
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Another for the road? Signed Matt Williams, renowned ex-coach, consultant for the broadcaster in Dublin: “I know all the players are devastated, but they just played the best team in the world at home and they were very close to coming back without Sexton. “It would be stupid to disappoint all these beautiful people in a month, don't you think?
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