March 17, 2017. Fifth and last day of the Six Nations Tournament.
Three teams share first place in the standings, each with three wins and one loss: Ireland, France and England.
It is therefore likely to be played on a goal average.
On this Sunday, Ireland opens the ball.
For a large victory in Italy, 51 to 26. Final point difference: + 65.
For the Blues of Bernard Laporte, who host Scotland at the Stade de France, the mission is now clear.
We must beat the XV du Cardon with, at least, 24 points in advance.
A Scottish try (Nikki Walker, from the 8th minute) responds to those of Imanol Harinordoquy (28th) then Yannick Jauzion (33rd).
But, just before the break, Sean Lamont quickly plays a penalty to the hand.
20-14 at halftime.
David Marty (51st), Cédric Heymans (58th) and Olivier Milloud (62nd) raise the bill.
39-14.
Its good.
Except that three minutes from the end, the Scotsman Euan Murray in his turn scored a try!
The Stade de France holds its breath.
Tells himself that it's over.
But the Blues insist, the forwards multiply the pick-an-go.
And, in a last effort, the third-line center of Clermont, Elvis Vermeulen, entered a few minutes earlier, manages to flatten in the Scottish in-goal.
A test, the 6th of the Blues, granted after use of video by the South African referee, a certain… Craig Joubert.
Lionel Beauxis transforms him and gives the Blues 27 points (46-19).
They are now ahead of Ireland in goal average (+69 against +65).
"READ ALSO -
" The Welsh can not believe it! "
: the tricolor test that crucifies Wales in video
It remains, to secure the title, to follow Wales-England.
Without excessive fears, the XV of the Rose to win with 56 points ahead in Cardiff.
Mission impossible, of course.
It is even the Welsh who prevail, allowing the Blues to win the Tournament, as in 2006. And it is in a deserted Stade de France that, two hours after their triumph against Scotland, the Blues and their captain, Raphaël Ibanez, now manager of the XV of France, lift the trophy.
He will be able to tell his heirs the procedure to follow for, on Friday night, to register at least four tries and to win by more than 20 points against the Scots.
The starting XV
: 15. Clément Poitrenaud, 14. Vincent Clerc, 13. David Marty, 12. Yannick Jauzion, 11. Cédric Heymans, 10. Lionel Beauxis, 9. Pierre Mignoni, 8. Imanol Harinordoquy, 7. Julien Bonnaire, 6 Serge Betsen, 5. Lionel Nallet, 4. Jérôme Thion, 3. Pieter de Villiers, 2. Raphaël Ibañez (cap.), 1 Olivier Milloud.
The replacements
: 16. Sébastien Bruno, 17. Nicolas Mas, 18. Pascal Papé, 19. Elvis Vermeulen, 20. Jean-Baptiste Élissalde, 21. Damien Traille, 22. Christophe Dominici.
Read also
The XV of France can win the Tournament if ...