It's a defeat, but what an achievement!
While many feared that the XV of France aligned this Sunday take a correction against the English, vice-world champions, the Blues have given lie to all the forecasts in the final of the Autumn Nations Cup.
Fabien Galthié's men have indeed pushed their opponents until overtime at Twickenham, before losing to sudden death (22-19) despite an inexperienced team: 4 selections and 24 years on average!
This is to say the feat of this very young, heroic team, which transcended itself and resisted the English assaults.
Forced by the agreement between the League and the Federation and the will of its staff not to brew holders and reservists, the XV of France, had advanced in front of the 2000 spectators of Twickenham with a team composed of third choice to most posts. This did not prevent him from standing up to the English favorites, who lined up their type team and won on the line this first edition of the Autumn Nations Cup.