At the Stade de France,
It was to be feared. A week after their performance full of heart and collective determination rewarded by a beautiful victory against the English (24-17), the Blues were less convincing against modest Italy, 23 defeats in a row in the Tournament before his visit to the Stade de France. Oh, nothing serious. Just the recurring, annoying decompression. A little less fear in the stomach, a little less vigilance. And the Ciara storm to complicate matters a bit more with strong gusts of wind which particularly destabilized Romain Ntamack, French striker, author of a naughty 3 out of 7 against the poles.
The Blues have provided the minimum. Five tries for an offensive bonus. A correct defense, but no more with three conceded tries. All that was enough to get rid of Italy (35-22). Meanly. Without shining. Without meeting the expectations of the staff who had asked for a big intensity, an undivided domination, successful game launches. We have not seen all of this. For a brackish return to the ordinary, two weeks before the big meeting that awaits the XV of France in Cardiff. Faced with the Welsh who abandoned their crown, their grand slam 2019, losing in Ireland on Saturday. " At times, we relaxed a little ," regrets the captain, Charles Ollivon. We scatter a little. But even if everything was not perfect, it is not dramatic. We're not going to waste a victory. "
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It was however gone on the hats of wheel. A small shaving kick from Ntamack for his winger Teddy Thomas (6th), the usual small side departure from Antoine Dupont who sows panic in the Italian defense before his captain, Charles Ollivon, forcefully registers his third test in two games. We have been playing for 18 minutes and the XV of France leads 13-0, the two transformations of Ntamack having gone astray with the wind. A big start then ... more. Defensive errors - Teddy Thomas will quickly become a problem if he does not get more involved in this sector… -, a game far from being in place, difficulties in touch (three lost balls), and Italians who do not do not abdicate. Antoine Dupont who goes up a little too much in defense, Teddy Thomas who forgets to cover his wing, and the winger of Wasps, Matteo Minozzi revives the suspense (13-7, 24th). Fortunately, Grégory Alldritt, once again in the oven and in the mill, concludes, upon receiving a good past jump from his number 9, a shelling in order of the Italian in-goal just before half-time (23- 10, 38e).
Plethoric staff
We hope that the overwhelming staff of the XV of France will take advantage of this break to put the Blues back on track. They will return to the lawn more serious, more applied, more effective. Wishful thinking. The match is getting more and more messy. It will be necessary to await the hour of play and a flash of Romain Ntamack to finally vibrate. The Toulouse opener accelerates at the entrance of the Italian 22 meters, escapes two defenders, pushes the transalpine rear of an authoritarian flair to give some air to the Blues (28-10, 58th). But, once again, instead of driving the point home, the French accumulate errors. And the faults. Only two penalties conceded in the first half. Eight more during a broken, disjointed, painful second. During which the hooker Zani will respond in force by placing the ball at the foot of the post (28-17, 64th).
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The hoped-for progress is still pending. The French attack lacks pep, binder. We wonder about the game plan. We just rave about a lonely raid by Baptiste Serin, who came in to replace Antoine Dupont (35-17, 73rd). A new glow followed by decompression. The Blues, at 14 after the injury of the winger Vincent Rattez, cash a last try, the third, at the very end of the match. 35-22, final score. Not enough to show off. The Welsh, a week ago, had made the trade, inflicting a relentless 42-0 to the Transalpine. Welsh against whom the Blues will have to be much more consistent in two weeks in Cardiff to achieve a feat.
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