Nothing seems to be able to resist the French rugby team.
Neither his opponents on the European lawns of the Six Nations tournament, nor the hearts of French viewers.
Sunday afternoon, Valentine's Day, 5.9 million enamored French people huddled in front of their television to follow the exploits of the Dupont gang, the emotion of Brice Dulin and the victory (13-15), at the end of the suspense, the Blues on Irish soil.
It was not a ride but it is a hit.
A peak of 7.2 million viewers was even reached during the game.
Again a feat.
Best audience since 2014
If it had been ten years since the XV of France had won in Dublin, it was almost necessary to go back as far in time to find the trace of such an audience for a match of the Tricolors in the tournament on France 2.
“The match against Ireland thus reached 37.3% audience share.
This audience is the best for a Six Nations Tournament meeting, all teams combined, since 2014 ”, rejoices the French Rugby Federation, in a press release.
#Audiences 🏉 # IRLFRA #IREvFRA
🔥🔥 Almost 6 million viewers (37.3% of PdA) attended the 2nd victory of #XVdeFrance yesterday afternoon.
▶ ️ Peak at 7.2 million
▶ ️ @ France2tv tops audiences
▶ ️ Best audience since 2014 for a #SixNations match pic.twitter.com/ToMRzUNRpO
- France • tv sport presse (@ftvsport_pro) February 15, 2021
After a long crossing of the desert in terms of results, the Blues of rugby have found color since the arrival at the head of the selection of Fabien Galthié.
In one year, its players have won nine of their eleven games and have capsized the hearts of the French.
The victory against Italy (10-50) during the first day of the tournament had already gathered an average of 4.11 million viewers on France 2 (33.1% of PdA).
The trend is therefore confirmed.
The winter cold and the curfew may explain this audience but the reason is certainly to be found in the invigorating play of this young French generation.
Last year, in the middle of the 6 Nations tournament, an Odoxa poll for the Sport-RTL-Groupama barometer announced that 82% of French people and 97% of rugby fans had a good opinion of the Blues.
The study was carried out after the victories against England (24-17) on February 2, and Italy (35-22) a week later.
In February 2018 and May 2019, the popularity of the Habs had fallen and hovered around ... 60%.
A visibly over time.
