A founding act. Indisputable. Ten years since the XV of France had not won in Cardiff. Nine years since a success in Ireland in 2011, he had not returned victorious from a trip to a major nation. This shows the scope of this feat. A decade since the Blues had not started a Six Nations Tournament with three victories. It was in 2010. Year of the last Grand Slam. So we start to dream. A victory in Edinburgh in two weeks and the French team of Fabien Galthié will play a "final" against Ireland, March 14 at the Stade de France. With solid reasons to believe it.
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Defense base
There are no great teams without great defense. On this side, we can be reassured. This young team from France has everything great. The Blues do not let go. Never. Cornered, just before half time, on their test line for ten minutes, they did not give up. Even at 14 after the yellow card collected by Grégory Alldritt. Ditto in the second period, again to 14 after the temporary exclusion of the pillar Mohamed Haouas. This fierce determination to defend every inch, to sacrifice for the boyfriend, to catch up, is impressive. From the mind. And benchmarks. In a big month, the English defense guru, Shaun Edwards, has already changed the game. A high and aggressive defense. But also a constant battle on the ground to slow the opponents' ball outflows into the rucks and thus give the maginot line time to rebuild itself. Tirelessly. This defensive determination could cost Teddy Thomas dearly. When all its partners are in tune, the winger of Racing, who has never displayed an appetite for tackling, multiplies defensive errors. It rocked so much on his side that, rare for a winger, he was replaced soon after the hour of play. If he does not quickly make real efforts in this sector, he could leave his place there…
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Fresh and carefree blues
Bernard Le Roux, the only 30-year-old of this “next generation” France team, is blown away by the maturity of this 24-year-old average team. "I have never seen young people with so much confidence," assures the second line of Racing. Some have won titles of world champions (under 20), others are champions of France with the Stade Toulousain ... "Fed up in professional rugby, the" kids "do not lose their means, waterproof with pressure. Simply and "sincerely" happy to be there and have fun. "We are not kids just out of the Top 14", thundered captain Charles Ollivon (who has the makings of great helmsmen of XV of France) before the match when we told him about the lack of experience of his troop. After the feat, the Toulonnais handed over a layer. “We are mature and carefree. This explains the freshness that there is in this group. "
Revelations in spades
Who would have bet, before this Tournament, on the pillar of Montpellier, Mohamed Houas, passed by the prison box? Or on his teammate Arthur Vincent, the captain of the world champions under 20 years old 2019. Or on the big odds, the back Anthony Bouthier, only six short months of experience in Top 14 at 27 years old (read below) ). And yet. The first nominee is strong in melee, present in defense, mobile in the game. The center, him, honored his second tenure by tirelessly breaking the red waves. Each match has its new revelation. In Cardiff, Jean-Baptiste Gros, also crowned with the U20s last summer in Argentina, lifted the glove. Returning to break to replace injured Cyril Baille (dislocation of the right shoulder, Tournament over), the Toulon pillar held the dragee high to the experienced Welsh forwards. Others who had one or two selections on the clock before this new adventure broke down the shack. We can quote François Cros, the Toulouse pruning shears in the third line; Paul Willemse, impressive in power and endurance; Julien Marchand, untenable hooker. And it is likely that in the group of 42 players dear to Galthié and Ibanez are hiding some future nuggets…
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A hinge of talent
Solidarity. Character. But also talent. Incarnated, in particular, by the pair of half-stamps Stade Toulousain. Antoine Dupont is already bluffing all the foreign observers who announce him as the future best number 9 in the world. With his characteristic style made of devastating outbursts and disintegrating tackles, the champion of France puts his team in the right direction of the march. Precious. His friend, Romain Ntamack, is more in the organization. At 21, his composure and his mastery impress. And bring a weapon that was lacking to the Blues: the alternation of the foot. A precision that is found in his role as a striker with, after England, a new 100% against the poles. Already essential.
A staff guarantor of humility
In the end, the main pitfall on the road to a tenth Grand Slam in the history of the XV of France, would be to be intoxicated by the praise and the glorious perspective. Not the kind of house all replicate in choir these Blues decidedly almost perfect. Charles Ollivon ensures respect for this humility. And, above all, the staff would not allow such a slip. "The subject of the Grand Slam is going to be broached - we cannot pretend not to hear it - but to deal with it as best as possible on the emotional side", announces Fabien Galthié. Raphaël Ibanez in support, warns. Before the trip to Scotland, "We will train hard over and over again. Because it is the high standards that demand it. "The risk of a culpable release is diminishing ...
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