XV of France: this team that the French have learned to love

The Covid-19 affair within the XV of France, by accumulating reckless exits of the players, transfers of the coach, lies at the top of the Federation and health risks with 17 contaminations, had everything of the explosive cocktail that could have disintegrated in flight n any team.

The rest, we know it: no explosion, "the sanitary protocol was respected", says Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports, and a potential fire extinguished on the mode: " Move along, there's nothing to see ".

Dirty laundry was washed as a family, and Marcoussis did not become Knysna.

Some even speak of impunity, even of reason of state.

But what is it that protects the XV of France?

One of the answers is given by Bernard Laporte himself: “I have never received so much fan mail in Marcoussis.

We made 7.2 million viewers against Ireland.

People want to see this team play, to see it win, that this XV of France makes us dream, ”indicated the president of the FFR to close the case on the steps of the Minister, on March 5.

83% good opinions

The Blues and their staff seem to be protected by their new popularity.

This is confirmed by an Odoxa-Winamax-RTL poll on the XV of France.

“We were surprised that the affair had no impact on its image,” admits Emile Leclerc, director of studies at Odoxa.

83% of French people and 93% of rugby fans have a good opinion of the XV of France, only one point less than in February, "that is to say within the margin of error".

The XV of France retains its love rating acquired from the 2019 World Cup, after difficult periods with less than 60% of favorable opinions, in 2017 or 2018. But, since, it wins and it changes everything.

Even Fabien Galthié and Bernard Laporte, yet deemed "responsible for Covid contamination and the France-Scotland postponement" by 71% of rugby fans, remain very popular with them (93% and 78% have good opinions respectively).

A positive poll that Fabien Galthié did not fail to quote at a press conference on Thursday, when closing the (long) page of questions on the Covid.

For fans, the Covid, "it's not a subject"

Unfortunately, it is difficult to meet groups of fans in effervescence in the streets and bars to smell this newfound popularity.

The matches are behind closed doors, the pubs are closed.

But social networks remain an indicator.

During the team's announcement press conference, broadcast live on Twitch, the growing network, Internet users' comments were all in the same direction when asked about the health bubble: “But talk about the match!

"" The Covid, who cares!

»« Now it's time for the Crunch!

"... The fans want above all to see this team play and its newfound flair, even if it means leaving the controversies aside.

Just like the sponsors.

"We are there in the good times as the bad times, assures Pierre Caillaud, of Société Générale, historical sponsor.

There, this young team exudes simplicity and sincerity.

"" For a year, things have been racing around the XV of France, it reacts much more on our networks, and positively, confirms Stéphane Tardivel, at Orange France, another major partner of rugby.

The Covid, we did not feel it in the communication with the fans.

For many, this is not a topic.

"

Example with Geraldine, 44, who still follows rugby from her Normandy, in particular the Six Nations tournament.

And he likes this team: “I don't think we should criticize them.

The virus is here, it could have hit anyone.

Galthié, Ibanez, they are big names, I trust them.

And, on the ground, the young people, we see that they want some.

"

Generation Dupont-Ntamack

The Dupont-Ntamack generation seduces.

"These two, we keep flocking jerseys to their name, says Aurélien, 28, seller of sporting goods in Paris.

For a year, there has clearly been a craze.

This rugby enthusiast remembers compulsive purchases of blue shirts in his shop at half-time during matches last year.

“It's a team that wins and plays well.

It is important for rugby to have found idols.

"

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In order not to burst, after the health bubble, that of popularity, it remains to continue to win matches.

And especially the one against English rivals this Saturday.

“If they play well and lose narrowly, we won't blame them,” Aurélien predicts.

Popular immunity, until when?