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Six Nations tournament: winners of Ireland, these Blues are cut to go far

2021-02-14T21:37:17.500Z


The success achieved this Sunday in Ireland (15-13) proves the strength of the Habs, at the top of the standings, in all areas of the game.


Whether bathed in sun and softness, as in Rome a week ago, or surrounded by cold and humidity as in Dublin this Sunday, the Blues know how to find their way: a walk in Italy (50-10 ), a first success in Ireland (15-13) for ten years.

Strong and resistant, active and creative when needed, Fabien Galthié's men are armed in all areas to aim high.

On the road to the Grand Slam, they will welcome the Scots in two weeks at the Stade de France.

An opportunity to once again assume their role of favorites.

Closed door operations

The catchphrase is well known.

Defense is the basis of all great teams.

You still have to have the means to put it into practice ... To cross this blue iron curtain woven by the Englishman Shaun Edwards, you need a lot more than stubborn, clumsy and single-task Irish.

The only try registered by the men in green comes from a happy rebound after a badly controlled touch.

A circumstance much too rare to crack a building.

In their impregnable citadel mode, the Blues are past masters.

Their resistance to Irish battering early in the match or at the very end is the best illustration of this.

"It was really hard but we held on," said Captain Charles Ollivon.

It is outside that we see the state of mind of the guys.

"

Specialists in surgical strikes

At 14 against 15 after a yellow card for an unwelcome trip from Bernard Le Roux (24th), the Blues have never seemed so strong, so peaceful.

All it took was one ball, one action, to make their legs speak of fire.

Dupont and Penaud wreaked havoc, Fickou and Ollivon concluded the story at the end of a movement that left the Irish in awe (29th).

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"It's not a miracle, it's reality, we had worked it well", insists Galthié.

Rebelote at the start of the second period at 15 against 15. This time, Jalibert, Dulin then Penaud tore the green curtain.

Two accelerations enough to come back with your hands full.

"It is sure and the victory proves them right, admits Pierre Villepreux, former coach of the XV of France.

But it would still be good if they got used to creating more, to playing with the ball more often.

"

A constant progression

A year ago, when Fabien Galthié launched his rejuvenated XV of France (24 years old on average) in the deep end, the Blues were outsiders.

Nine victories later, in eleven meetings, here they are in the role of favorites.

“We are progressing, we are better than last year and we will continue, underlines the coach.

We tick the boxes on our time arrow.

"" We certainly have things to improve, adds center Arthur Vincent.

Maybe the fact of scoring even more when you have the opportunity.

“Given the decline of their opponents, the Grand Slam seems largely within their reach.

“Victory in the Tournament, that's for sure,” thinks Villepreux.

The Grand Slam is likely.

"

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-02-14

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