The meeting between the women's XV of France and Wales on Friday in Cardiff looks like a semi-final for Les Bleues who, after three bonus victories in the Six Nations Tournament, dream of playing the Grand Slam against England on April 30.
"
We know that the Welsh don't give up until the end
," Blagnac Audrey Forlani's second line told AFP: Friday (9:00 p.m.) at Arms Park in Cardiff, "
it's a semi-final that will take place .
play and we must not miss it
".
The classification of the Tournament is indeed very clear: behind England and France, fifteen points each, points to Wales (10 pts).
During the 3rd day, the Welsh, last of the 2021 Tournament, certainly suffered a severe disappointment against the English (58-5), but they had won their first two matches.
"A growing team"
Against Scotland (24-19) on matchday two, they prevailed after trailing for most of the game, and in Ireland (27-19), there too, they turned the tide after the hour mark, scoring three tries in the last quarter of an hour.
This revival of Welsh women's rugby is partly explained by the signing at the start of the year of professional contracts by twelve players, to which have been added since fifteen "semi-pros".
The Blues winger, Marine Ménager, against Scotland.
ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
"
It's a team that is progressing
", admits the manager of Les Bleues Annick Hayraud, listing its strengths: conquest, especially in closed scrum, very playful rears and an omnipresent number 9.
Opponents to be taken seriously for Les Bleues who are keen to make people forget their lackluster start to the Tournament in terms of the game offered, despite their improved victories against Italy (39-6), Ireland (40- 5) and finally in Scotland (28-8).
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After Scotland, the players spoke to each other, explains Audrey Forlani: "
everyone said 'their little thing' and it did the group good
".
With a team made up of more experienced, more complementary players, Annick Hayraud hopes for "
a little more control to be able to continue, by being ambitious in the game, so as not to come back with frustration from Cardiff
".
Find this “letting go”
“
We want to rediscover this pleasure, this “letting go”, show our true face, that of the autumn tour
”, which had seen France win three resounding victories, against South Africa and twice against the “ Black Ferns” from New Zealand, reigning world champions, approves Audrey Forlani.
But be careful not to get the wrong match, having already in mind that of April 30.
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"
Today, nothing allows us to ignite, so it's up to us to be very vigilant
," says Annick Hayraud.
Thomas Darracq, sports manager of Les Bleues, insists:
"The priority is to win in Cardiff, hoping that a victory in Wales will open this match in Bayonne for us that everyone is waiting for
" against England, defending champions. title and best nation in the world.
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