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Super Dupont
To believe that, as in the famous albums of Hergé, there were two on the field, Dupont and Dupond, so much the scrum-half of Stade Toulousain weighed on the meeting, untenable and in all good moves.
Antoine Dupont, with a T therefore, energized an amorphous XV of France during the start.
Raises, zigzags in the red defense, and decisive blows.
Twice at the conclusion of high-class actions by the French rearguard, then at the initiative of the movements and finally decisive - candle then breakthrough then pass with a line - on the test of its captain, Charles Ollivon.
Hailed by Wayne Pivac, the Welsh coach as "a world class player".
I would even say more, as a world class player ...
The offensive going found
The Blues of Fabien Galthié had seduced last winter by their offensive inclinations, before suffering a setback in Edinburgh against the XV du Chardon.
33 weeks later, and with only one high-intensity training in the legs, the Blues have found the flame.
Five attempts registered, some of very high collective quality, to stun the Welsh overwhelmed by technical gestures (this chistera from Vakatawa, this little kick over Teddy Thomas ...) and the offensive going of this led France team by the plume of a hinge that stinks of the game. A game plan, daring and talent.
Fans can really come to believe in a much better day.
The Tipuric secateurs
He has long delayed the deadline.
He is Justin Tipuric, 31, 77 caps and a predilection for defensive play.
16 tackles struck - the best total of the match, both teams combined - and tireless work in the ground game.
For a handful of penalties collected.
The third-line wing of the Ospreys, with its blue plume, has often shown the way for its teammates and terribly annoyed the Blues by its ultra-fast climbs in defense.
Scratches
The incongruous speaker
But why ?
Why put a juggler on the edge of the lawn, haranguing… no one between two hits swinging at full power.
In an empty and lifeless stadium, these vain attempts made the moment even sadder, more depressing.
And when the announcer launched a thunderous "ladies and gentlemen, a little enthusiasm, wave your flags", the thirty journalists present looked dumbfounded.
Who was he addressing?
What mysterious euphoria had made him scream such incongruity?
Was he the only one who didn't realize that the concrete ship was empty, that he was the only one to break the heavy silence?
His crazy hopes will not bend the Minister for Sports who condemned the XV of France, and many other teams, national or local, professional or amateur, to shake in front of empty bays.
Ignition delay
Come on, let's face it.
We were afraid.
In the space of ten minutes, we thought very hard about not so old nightmares.
To this XV of France who, apathetic, without a guiding line, chained the failed encounters, suffered without reaction, without rebellion.
Resigned even before kick-off.
And then no.
This rejuvenated France team has shown it has character.
Led 10-0, Ollivon and his partners did not panic.
They pulled themselves together, followed the rules and overturned the table.
A satisfaction.
But a little fear as well.
Against Ireland, next Saturday at the same place, victory in the 2020 Six Nations Tournament at stake, we must not reproduce this confused start.
“Against the Irish, we will have to start differently, confirms Gaël Fickou.
Be very precise, do not give them points so easily because if you are left behind, it will be very difficult to come back. ”
Biggar cracks
The Northampton striker has long kept his team afloat.
Three penalties and a conversion for a clear round.
Before cracking.
A failed penalty, then a second, then the transformation of the test of its pillar.
From the 60th minute to the 69th minute, Dan Biggar lets fly 8 points well within his reach.
The scoreboard therefore shows 31 to 21. Not 31 to 29. The luck has passed.
The Blues will drive home the point thanks to Teddy Thomas.
And to wonder why the opening half didn't cede the tee to Wales' other sharpshooter Leigh Halfpenny.
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XV of France: a nice corner of blue sky before the "final" against Ireland
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