The XV of France garnered against Italy this Sunday at the Stade de France its second success in a row. But unlike the convincing success against England (24-17) a week ago, the Blues - who did not really shake - have not, far from it, made a perfect copy against the most selected weakness of the Six Nations Tournament.
We were awaiting confirmation of the promises we saw against the English, but coach Fabien Galthié will no doubt find much to complain about a success marked certainly by the offensive bonus but also by a lack of discipline and a defense which conceded three tries. All of this will have to be corrected for the trip to Cardiff on February 23 for what promises to be a first real test outside.
What you must remember
The Blues have started the meeting perfectly. With two tries in their pocket from the 18th minute of play (Thomas in the 7th and Ollivon in the 18th), the Stade de France already feels the urge to launch an ola. But because of the weather conditions and a strong wind, the opener Romain Ntamack did not transform them. Despite the domination of the Habs, the score (13-0) does not reflect the poor quarter of an hour of Italy, swept in the first game by Wales (42-0).
The Transalpines will take advantage of the defensive largesse of the Blues to register their first try in the 2020 Tournament by pocket winger Matteo Minozzi (13-7). They even come back to three points on an Allan penalty. These ten minutes of floating will not have any consequence since the Blues resume the lead thanks to Grégory Alldritt (38th) well served in the end by a jump pass from Dupont, still excellent. The score at the break is somewhat consistent with the debates on the lawn.
Charles Ollivon's essay
The Blues start the machine, new test by Captain Charles Ollivon! 13 🇫🇷 - 🇮🇹 0 #FRAvITA # 6nations
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Before Romain Ntamack's test (59th), the return from the locker room had been slow. Awkward in touch, the XV of France spoils two occasions 5 m from the line and even concedes a second try to visitors at the foot of its posts (Zanni, 65th). Serin, who replaced Dupont, roars the dyonisian enclosure with pleasure, but Negri plays one last time with the blue rearguard for a third test with the siren.
The player: Antoine Dupont
From one week to the next Antoine Dupont stands out as the perfect metronome for his team. Accelerator on the second three-color test, the Toulousain has always put its own in the direction of travel.
The number: 43
By losing to the Stade de France, Italy conceded their 43rd defeat to the French team for only three victories. Above all, the Transalpines are 23 behind in a row in the Six Nations. Record in progress. The last success of the Squadra Azzura dates back to February 28, 2015 against Scotland (22-19).