Seeing Antoine Dupont spinning in the English style as soon as the kick-off whistled, and inspired, going to open the scoring in the Irish in-goal, the 80,000 spectators at the Stade de France could believe, for a few moments , that a sparkling game of rugby awaited them on Saturday 12 February. It has not happened. The XV of France won against Ireland on the lawn of Saint-Denis for their second outing of the Six Nations Tournament (30-24), after a “rough and tough game”summarizes the third row François Cros.
Six days after an introduction completed on a “feeling of incompleteness” against Italy (37-10 victory), Antoine Dupont and his partners delivered a much more accomplished score, raising their level “a notch or two”, as required by their trainer. Opposed to a team remaining on nine successes in a row, gleaming mechanics in meticulous rugby, the Blues knew they were expected. But as in the fall, against the All Blacks, they played their game in a first period with complete control.
“We knew they were going to be ubiquitous in ground combat, at any place or time of the game. We knew they were going to make war on us., blows the second line Thibaud Flament, entered twenty minutes from the end. Warned, the Blues had prepared the response: to turn into itchy hair to make the attacks of Clover uncomfortable. “When you are weaned from balls, it is more difficult to play”exposes the pillar Cyril Baille.
A “air pocket”, and it starts again
“Ireland are a very clean team, they don’t make a lot of mistakes and they keep the ball very well”insists François Cros, author of“an XL service” according to his trainer. “When we let them impose their rhythm, and recite their rugby, we know that they are very dangerous. » Last week, Wales could only see it, suffering green wave after green wave in Dublin (29-7 defeat); and the Blues did the same at the start of the second period.
Because after having proposed forty first minutes of high flight, relegating Ireland to 13 points (22-7 at the break), and leaving them only crumbs – a test registered on a dismissal, following a defensive scramble tricolor –, the Blues experienced a ” air pocket “, according to their captain. Strong until then, combative and of an all… Irish realism (five successful kicks for Melvyn Jaminet in the first period), the French suffered a green furia.
In less time than it takes to spell the name of the powerful Josh Van der Flier – author of the second Irish test – the XV of Clover had returned to the saddle of the Blues (going from 22-7 to 22-21). And the Stade de France, for a moment in disbelief, agreed with James Ryan, Irish captain for a night (in the absence of Johnny Sexton), who had announced that his troops were going to try to “calm the heat” of the tricolor public. Machine perfectly oiled and undefeated for nine games, Ireland reminded the French that it had not come to Saint-Denis to attend a recital, but intended to play its role. Having conceded a 14-0 in four minutes, the Blues looked gray.
“In the second half, we got a little tipsy. We neglected the collision a bit, and we deviated a bit from our defensive plan., noted Fabien Galthié. But his French team has taken the bottle, for two years, and no longer sinks when the ship pitches. As against the New Zealanders in November, the teammates of a once again omnipresent Gregory Alldritt let the storm pass before resuming their march forward. “Against these teams, you have to accept having weak times, managing to limit their impact which is sometimes violent”insisted the tricolor coach, proud of the way his troops handled the game.
“Knowing how to stay cool in hot weather”
“It’s the strength of this group, knowing how to stay cold in hot moments”, savored François Cros after the game. Displaying their certainties, his partners have never departed from their principles of play. And took advantage of their depth of bench to increase the pressure on the Irish XV.
Faced with the rough Irish, the French strategy left little room for delicacy. With “add harshness”as a watchword professed by Fabien Galthié before the meeting, the Blues had come to “a good war”, as expressed by Cameron Woki. And in this equation, no place for unknowns sending play. As substitutes – or “finishers”according to the now consecrated expression -, Fabien Galthié had chosen six forwards « stamping with the hoof to bring [leur] energy, to allow us to win the last twenty minutes of the match” against two fullbacks. As against New Zealand, “this risky tactical option has produced its effects”greeted the Lot technician.
In a late game that became unbreathable, the Blues were able to manage their opponent, regaining a few lengths ahead with a try from Cyril Baille, and keeping the lead until the end. “We are not going to be choosy”recognized Antoine Dupont, because the opponent was tough. “It’s one thing to prepare to face the Blues, but then you have to stop them”, paid tribute Andy Farrell, the English coach of Ireland. Deprived of their playing master and metronome, Johnny Sexton, his troops delivered a tough game, but bowed arms in hand.
With two victories in as many games, France retains the lead in the competition. Thanks to the Scottish defeat in Wales on Saturday afternoon, she remains the only one who can still dream of the Grand Slam. But even winners of their showdown of the day, the Blues do not intend to be intoxicated. “We have all learned from the last two editions”, warns Antoine Dupont. Each time, after two victories, the Blues lost in the third match. “We lost the tournament two years ago to a defeat in Scotland. We are not going to talk about a grand slam, but focus on the next match. » In Edinburgh, in two weeks (Friday February 25, 9 p.m.), these Blues will aspire to continue their march forward.