After Italy (39-6), Ireland (40-5) and Scotland (28-8), the French women chained a fourth victory on Friday April 22, before the ” final » long awaited against the English, defending champions. The latter still have to play against Ireland on Sunday, but they have dominated their field so much since the start of the Tournament that it is hard to see what could prevent them, at the end of the ” crunch » (match between France and England) next Saturday in Bayonne, to make the Grand Slam. Privilege of the programming, France, third nation in the world, will have two additional days to recover after having sent Friday evening a mixed message to the ” Red Roses ».
After having stammered their rugby during the first three meetings, having carried out a large review of the workforce, the French women gave the Welsh a new imperfect copy on the synthetic lawn of Arms Park. With this time their typical team of the moment, they largely dominated the conquest, defended with application in their weak times and offered some good offensive sequences, rewarded with five tries.
Point of frustration
The bonus was already acquired at half-time (26-0), thanks in particular to the third double in three matches from scrum-half Laure Sansus, the competition’s top scorer, named woman of the match. Winger Caroline Boujard signed her return from injury with a try, on receiving a kick, before young rear Chloé Jacquet made her burst of speed speak.
As against Scotland, the Blues were less visible after the break. They only added one try, through Jessy Trémoulière, lined up at the opening in place of Caroline Drouin, hit in one knee. Too many handling errors will leave them with a hint of frustration, like the try scored at the last minute by the Welsh. Dross not to be repeated next weekend in Jean-Dauger against the English, at the top of the world ranking.