It’s a strange egg, lying on the swelling waters of the Taff River. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to borrow the words of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien: "There was a red light whose intensity increased steadily. And it was undoubtedly hot now in the tunnel. Trails of vapor floated in the air (…). A sound also began to roar, a kind of bubbling similar to the sound of a large pot on the fire, mixed with a roar. "
If not the Smaug den, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is the lair of a fire-breathing dragon. Saturday, February 22, the French rugby team set itself the task of winning, against Wales. An important challenge for the young squad of Fabien Galthié, after two successes at home to start the Tournament of the six nations, against England and Italy.
"The first impression is that it's dark when you walk in the door. Despite the lights "sums up French captain Charles Ollivon, who, like the vast majority of his partners, discovered the stadium on Friday during the captain’s training. Several looked up as they entered the field, a way of gauging the precincts calmly, before the coming red storm. "We can imagine the atmosphere of (Saturday), and we are looking forward to it. We expect war, a big fight. "
Saturday, the Welsh cauldron, in which France has not won in ten years, will be a pressure cooker, the roof of the Millennium Stadium being closed to avoid serious downpours falling on Cardiff. Welsh people intend to avoid cooking over low heat. "We have to start fully, put the entry pressure on the Blues", assured winger Josh Adams on Thursday. This is the first game outside the Tournament for this new team, so it's up to us to force them to make decisions under pressure and if possible harvest what comes out of it. "
Young Cardiff Blues player remembers playing two "Strange matches" against France, last year. In Paris, for the Six Nations, then in Tokyo, in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the French had started the meeting on the hats of wheels, before lowering their foot and letting the Welsh win.
"We are not kids! "
For Wayne Pivac, the New Zealand coach of the XV Leek, it will be "To correct mistakes made in Ireland" during the defeat of his family in Dublin (14-24). "We know we have something in us to do much better, especially at home, in front of a crowded stadium. " He is counting on a team that has worked hard to achieve this: "In close matches, in moments of pressure, nothing beats the experience. "
"They've had so many great games, we count on the experience of our players to calm our minds in the crazy moments of a match, supports Josh Adams. This contribution is incomparable. "
With 859 caps on the field, the XV Leek is the most experienced team in tournament history. In comparison, the fifteen Blues display 234 capes. "To be honest, it doesn't do us much, sweeps the French captain. They're still rugby players, not supermen. "
If he ensures – a bit dryly – not to be annoyed by the multiple questions about the inexperience of his team, Charles Ollivon emphasizes the will of his own "To write (their) history. "We are not kids who just got out of the Top 14! he insists. We are aware of the past and the value of our opponents, but we are calm. "
Pressure on the referee
The Welsh have opted for another way this week to signify their experience: by putting pressure on the English referee, Matthew Carley, neophyte at this level (he whistles his second match of the Tournament).
“France will have a solid, but probably undisciplined pack, especially in melee. We know they will push too early, hit, hunt and cheat. We know about it and we want to fight it ”warned pillar Wyn Jones on Monday, assisted by Welsh forwards coach.
A "Rude and childish attack from another age", countered Raphaël Ibanez, the general manager of the Blues, preferring "Gently smile" of the "Welsh whining". But the timing of the operation was nothing improvised. If Wayne Pivac chose on Thursday not to add fuel to the fire, the scrums will be particularly scrutinized on Saturday. The English referee will have to be solid to resist the clamor of 80,000 red souls.
The last time France won in Wales, Romain Ntamack was ten years old. A decade – and a few roustes – later, the Blues want to exist at the Millennium Stadium. "We are going to Cardiff to be respected!" We're going to Cardiff to show who we are ”, insisted Fabien Galthié Thursday.
If his young troop tames the Welsh dragon, scents of victory in the Tournament could float in their nostrils. But we are not there yet. First, Ollivon and his family have a "Maturity test" to spend Saturday. Who could answer many questions.
