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The Irish washerwoman
Everyone digests their disillusionment as best they can.
Like the Blues, the Irish were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, beaten by the All Blacks.
But they quickly turned the page and moved forward again by signing, at the Stade Vélodrome, the biggest victory in their history against the XV of France.
Power, rhythm, efficiency, the green machine has completely drained Matthieu Jalibert and his teammates.
In the end, these 21 points difference cruelly reflect the difference in level between the two teams.
Cold and methodical, Ireland is sure of its strength.
Quite the opposite of France which has stammered its rugby.
“We managed to silence the supporters by remaining focused throughout the match
,” said coach Andy Farrell.
Sometimes, when you play fifteen against fourteen, you tend to relax but not there.
Already, last year, the Tricolores had violently suffered the Irish at the Aviva Stadium (32-19).
This time, the rout is more severe and Fabien Galthié will have to manage a second trauma in a row.
The coach had focused on
“fighting intensity rather than running intensity”
for this summit clash.
In the end, the Irish did not choose one or the other, they managed to shine in both aspects of the game.
“We knew how to be ruthless
,” relishes Andy Farrell.
Gabrillagues, return paying but not winning
This Friday, Paul Gabrillagues scored his second try in the French jersey in Marseille.
Six years after the first scored against Italy at… the Vélodrome.
Funny symbol for this more than emblematic player of Stade Français Paris.
Asked about this amusing little detail, the second row, who did not do poorly in the fight, blurted out:
“I would have preferred to win…”
For his return to blue, the one who had not been called up since the World Cup 2019 in Japan lived up to the expectations placed on him: namely fight, fight and fight.
For the rest of the Tournament, starting next Saturday at Murrayfield, the big question will be the composition of the second line of the French XV.
Paul Willemse suspended, Romain Taofifenua injured, the staff should relaunch Cameron Woki, with a more aerial profile, the young Posolo Tuilagi still being a little green to be thrown into the Edinburgh cauldron.
Despite this sinister setback, Gabrillagues scored points.
Beirne-McCarthy, strong team
The old and the new, like thieves at a fair.
Faced with a French second line in complete disintegration – two expulsions in 30 minutes for Willemse, a lack of percussion for Gabrillagues – Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy shined.
The first stood out with his try, launched full iron into a gaping interval by his scrum half;
the second was simply elected man of the match.
The reward for his activity in the air and at ground level.
Furthermore, the two massive forwards advanced, each gaining 32 meters (no jealousy...), hampered the French line-up in touch, put pressure on Lucu (a blocked kick) and beat a few defenders for good measure.
A hitch that allows you to travel far.
Read alsoFrance-Ireland: the defenseless Blues, the red of Willemse... The video summary
CLAW STRIKES
Without Dupont, there’s no joy
The attempt to smoke had, at best, caused a smile.
Life without Dupont?
Anecdotique had tried to make William Servat, the assistant coach in charge of the French forwards, believe it, the day before the clash against Ireland.
“Maxime (Lucu) wears the jersey high and there is an emergence of young scrum halves.
Nolann (Le Garrec) proves to us every day that he will be a great player.
We realized that the pool was deeper than we thought.
And then the strength of the collective will always take over the individual.”
Political correctness, bladders for lanterns, the Coué method, delete the unnecessary one.
While their ex-captain was preparing to play in the opening this Saturday with Toulouse in the Top 14, his teammates measured the weight of the absence.
The main threat gone to free the Irish.
A replacement who has neither the same length nor the same precision in the kicking game.
And neither the same vision, nor the same push to make differences.
No need to overwhelm Maxime Lucu.
We knew he didn't have the protean talent of Dupont.
We are just waiting for the change of direction of all those who praised the choice of the best player in the world at XV to go and have fun at 7. A defection which hampers the chances of success of Fabien Galthié's selection.
But, between displaced bookstores, increased transport costs and canceled festivals, it seems that the Olympic Games are worth all the sacrifices.
That of the XV of France is likely to stretch until the beginning of spring...
Paul Willemse, the Yellow Peril
Two yellows in the land of Pastis.
Paul Willemse, who was making his return to the French team after missing the last World Cup due to a tear, received two cards against Ireland, which logically led to his expulsion and precipitated the fall of his team.
From the 9th minute of play, he first made a mistake with a clearance in the face of pillar Andrew Porter.
Before, at the half-hour mark, he was guilty of a dangerous charge, shoulder to head, on third row Caelan Doris.
With 15 against 15, would the Blues have done better?
Nothing is less sure.
The second row of Montpellier, already excluded during the success against Wales (32-30) in the 2021 Tournament, sadly enters the history of the XV of France by being the second player to receive two red cards, after his former teammate, prop Mohamed Haouas.
In the heat of the moment, no one wanted to overwhelm him.
Fabien Galthié refused to speak of professional misconduct at this level:
“I cannot say that about a player who commits himself to defend the line, these are technical fouls and we know that contacts to the head are punished very strong.”
Third row Paul Boudehent says his partners
“all came to him to console him in the locker room.
Solidarity is the key word.
Who here hasn't made a mistake in their career?
It happens, it’s part of life, of our career.
We will continue to move forward.
We remain united.”
And to continue:
“When one of your children has a less good stroke, do you leave him aside?”
At least for the match against Scotland.
The Blues remain on the sidelines
In charge of the sidelines for the last four years, Karim Ghezal left to exercise his talents as an air technician at the Stade Français.
And we cannot say that his successor, Laurent Sempéré, who took the opposite path, convinced for his big premiere.
Four misplaced throws (out of 18) and a striking lack of organization on those caught.
No clean launching of the game, confusion in the mauls, and passivity watching Ireland gorge themselves on balls in touch.
By choosing to refuse to contest opposing shots, the Blues accelerated their fall.
This sector was the main launching pad for the Irish offensives.
Most often out wide, head towards the midfield for a first impact.
But not only.
Like the last two penalties of the match: ball carried and try from the hookers, Sheenan then Kelleher.
A demonstration of mastery.