At the Stade de France
It is the eternal story of glass half full or half empty. The XV of France disposed of Italy but everything was not perfect. Far from there. “We have to stay positive. We will remember the victory, this is something very important for the rest of the competition. We scored 9 points out of 10 possible. It's really satisfying, plant Teddy Thomas. But it is certain that there are things that have not been. This will help us prepare for the match in Wales. ”See you in Cardiff in 13 days, therefore. And to continue: "Nothing is ever perfect, otherwise it would be too easy. We are satisfied with this first place. ”
The performance of the Racing 92 winger is also in chiaroscuro. First there is this test, registered from the 7th minute, thanks to a judicious kicking kick from Romain Ntamack. "I call Romain on the second curtain. He takes the information very quickly. It delivers a quality foot game, says the player who scored his 11th try on Sunday in 18 selections. As a finisher, I just had to take the ball and flatten it. Congratulations to him! ”
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During the match, we regularly saw Teddy Thomas making big signs to have the ball. Never satiated. Little smile of the interested party. “As a wingman, I want to have more balls.” Without wanting to pull the blanket at him. “Where, I think, the team has made a big leap forward is by framing our game. Especially thanks to the hinge. They took matters into their own hands, I give solutions. I'm just a simple finisher. I have to put myself at the service of the hinge. And for the moment, it's going well, they don't complain too much, in quotes, about my rants. I like to score tries, that's what keeps me going. ”
On the front side, there is therefore this test but also some sharp shots which save precious meters, especially on the test registered by Ntamack (59th). But, on the flip side, there are also these defensive errors. Is this due to the new rush defense system implemented by the Englishman Shaun Edwards? “It's up to me to adapt to the system. It's one of the things I try to do. And from weekend to weekend, I hope to improve, "defends the player of Racing, a club which also uses a similar defense. “There is not much different. It's pretty much the same system as Racing, roughly speaking. ”
"Unfortunately, I am not Usain Bolt"
On the first transalpine test, its placement is most hazardous. He leaves his wing to approach a grouping and leaves his side wide open. “We close quickly and, after, the Italian 10 also has the right to play well. I don't know how he pulls out this pass and, when you go up strong, it's complicated to turn around and start again, ”he says. By preferring to take the thing with humor: "Unfortunately, I am not Usain Bolt".
Teddy Thomas' defensive gaps are a recurring subject, which he drags a bit like a ball. But he prefers to remember that “at the end of the match, we have fished a little these last two weeks against England and Italy. We had a lot of points in the second half and at the end of the match. We will have to hold this rigor. Be more rigorous on the rucks phases, on the defensive zones. If we can improve that, I think we will have more fun. ”
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In the end, it is a new adventure that begins in blue for the winger trained at the Biarritz Olympique. With new staff. And new perspectives. “I feel good, I am fulfilled with this group. We are pretty much of the same generation. It has been a long time since I had enjoyed myself so much in the French team. ”At 26, he could look like an elder but his international career was more than chaotic. “I quickly managed to find my place, even if part of the group experienced something strong at the World Cup together. They welcomed those who did not make the World Cup very well. I am happy and honored to be part of this group. I hope to be part of it as long as possible. It's a treat to share things with these guys all the players. ”For the moment, the clouds are starting to dissipate over the XV of France, which had not won its first two matches in the Tournament since 2016. A revival that will pass to revealing the hell of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in two weeks.
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