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The irreproachable state of mind of the Blues
The glue of a rugby team is its sense of sacrifice.
And, on this side, the XV of France has once again shown itself to be irreproachable.
Only 23 missed tackles out of 272 (!) attempted.
That is 92% success.
With a few remarkable lines of statistics: 28 tackles (and no misses) for Thibaud Flament alone, 23 for Julien Marchand, 22 each for the two third-line goalkeepers Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch... Without this defensive cement, this collective will to not give in, the bill would have been much heavier.
Because if the Blues have conceded four tries – which is a lot – they have prevented many more, whether on desperate defensive retreats or in their in-goal.
On at least four occasions, an Irishman could not flatten, a hand, an arm, a body
back to discipline
After the appalling Roman negligence (18 whistled fouls against them), the Blues have returned to international standards.
Seven penalties conceded (only two in the first half…), plus a free kick.
We must, of course, add the yellow card of Uini Atonio (26th minute, for a tackle too high) which tarnishes the balance sheet a little.
Not enough to spoil the satisfaction of the coach, Fabien Galthié, reassured by this return to discipline.
Spearhead Caelan Doris
The helmeted third-line center of Leinster burst the screen on Saturday in Dublin.
Omnipresent at the four corners of the field, Caelan Doris struck a few decisive tackles (three missed however) and, above all, kept putting his team in the lead.
89 meters gained on the front line, two French defenders beaten, a marvel of pass after contact to send his center, Gary Ringrose, to the victory test.
At 25, the number 8 has definitely established itself as a staple of the Irish pack, only three years after his first selection (25 now).
Read alsoSix nations: Josh van der Flier, best player in the world and ultimate threat to the XV of France
CLAW
STRIKES
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The chauvinism of the Irish director
In the 20th minute, Mr. Barnes, the English referee of the meeting, requests a video arbitration to determine whether James Lowe's corner try is valid or not.
A determined return from Damian Penaud on his vis-à-vis sows doubt.
Did the Leinster winger put his foot in touch before flattening at the foot of the flag?
Did the ball touch the line?
The interruption will be long.
The various plans made available by the Irish director of the meeting are not the most explicit.
Despite multiple slowdowns, it's not apparent that Lowe's shoe hit the ground out of bounds.
Wayne Barnes eventually gives the try.
A few moments later, images recovered by France Télévisions will provide the answer.
His foot was in touch.
Too late.
Read alsoSix nations: the acrobatic test scored by the Irishman Lowe against the Blues was not valid (video)
Ramos revives… Jaminet
Last November, Thomas Ramos had taken advantage of the package of his Toulouse teammate, Melvyn Jaminet, to put on the flocked jersey of 15. Three high-flying performances had earned him to keep it despite the return of the previous holder.
After an already half-hearted match in Rome a week ago, the Toulouse back was downright disappointed this time.
Two lost balloons.
A kicking game that was not always judicious and, above all, this blocked clearance which allowed the Irish to score a try just after Penaud's masterpiece, not allowing the Blues to take advantage of it to make their opponents doubt a little.
Ramos will be released on the hour mark in favor of Matthieu Jalibert, the UBB opener replaced at the back.
A staff decision which confirms that the competition is completely relaunched with Melvyn Jaminet,
Sexton still part-time
Well, this time it was not a concussion but a thigh injury that forced Jonathan Sexton to leave his partners in the 48th minute of the game. But, at almost 37 years old, the playing master of the XV of Clover has more and more difficult to go to the end of the meetings.
A premature exit which prevented him from going down in history.
With 7 points scored, the scorer, now at 550 points scored in the Six Nations Tournament, overtakes Jonny Wilkinson (546).
But he remains in second place behind the best director in history, his compatriot Ronan O'Gara (557).
Let's hope for him that his injury is not serious.
This is indeed his last participation in the Tournament and if, by chance, he could not play any of the three remaining matches...