These are two teams in crisis who face each other this Sunday (4:00 p.m.) for the 4th day of the Six Nations Tournament.
But two crises of very different natures.
On the one hand, a French XV losing its bearings since the failure of “its” World Cup, even though it has changed little or nothing.
On the other hand, the crisis is more of a reconstruction: Wales have turned everything upside down since the World Cup by replacing no less than nine starters.
For the Blues the worrying victories and draws, for the Welsh the encouraging defeats.
The Leek XV has lost all its matches in this 2024 Tournament, but it is learning.
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Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
Calendar and results 6 Nations
Back in charge since the start of 2023 after a first long mandate between 2007 and 2019, Warren Gatland is striving to get the team out of its long negative spiral.
The Leek XV has only won two matches in the Tournament since 2021, the year of its last coronation.
The year 2022 was catastrophic on a sporting level.
And 2023 saw the emergence of non-sporting difficulties, with a federation (WRU) marked by accusations of sexist behavior and the economic difficulties of clubs and provinces.
Before a match against England, the players even threatened to strike, worried about their contracts.
I have no doubt about the direction we are taking.
This team will be excellent in the future once they gain some experience.
Warren Gatland, coach
The 2023 World Cup was a real breath of fresh air.
Beaten by Argentina (17-29) in the quarter-final, Wales still achieved the feat of finishing first in their group, gaining a historic victory against Australia (40-6) in the process. .
In France, the team found a soul and an identity.
By giving the captain's armband to Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, both 24 years old, Gatland has clearly shown his desire to entrust the keys to the nation to the youth.
Enough to glimpse a bright future.
Orphans of Rees-Zammit
But a few months later, the New Zealand coach was forced to review his plans for the 2024 Six Nations Tournament. Morgan and Lake both withdrew due to injury, as did the essential Taulupe Faletau (33). .
Several captains have hung up their hands or left to play far from the island, including legend Dan Biggar (34 years old), but also Liam Williams (32 years old), Leigh Halfpenny (35 years old) and Gareth Anscombe (32 years old).
Others, like Henry Thomas (32) and Tomas Francis (31), were deliberately left out.
And Gatland had to deal with some bad news at the last minute, such as the surprise departure of his star winger Louis Rees-Zammit, 22, who left to try his luck in American football.
Or the choice of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 21 years old and born in Cardiff, to represent England.
Warren Gatland, New Zealand coach of Wales.
PETER CZIBORRA / REUTERS
The first group announced for the Six Nations was therefore considerably reshuffled, with the presence of five players with 0 selections.
But the ambition is intact: to rebuild with youth.
This is evidenced by the appointment as captain of the second row Dafydd Jenkins, 22 years old.
But also the choice to entrust the keys to the game to the young openers Sam Costelow (23 years old) and Ioan Lloyd (23 years old), to start the second row Alex Mann (22 years old) or to trust the back Cameron Winnett (21 years old).
All this fresh blood is accompanied by the few remaining executives, including George North.
Nick Tompkins, Tomos Williams, Gareth Davies, Aaron Wainwright and Will Rowlands.
Heart and character
The balance sheet, of course, is catastrophic.
Three defeats in as many matches.
But, looking closer, there are reasons for hope.
Against Scotland on February 3 (26-27), Wales showed character by failing by a small point after being led 27-0.
At Twickenham, a week later (16-14), the men in red led until eight minutes from time and an English penalty.
And the score (31-7) conceded in Dublin is flattering for the Irish who are having difficulty setting up their usual steamroller.
“
We showed a lot of heart and character
,” even congratulated Warren Gatland in the process.
Full-back Cameron Winnett, 21, is the player who has covered the most meters in May since the start of the Six Nations.
ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
“
Yes, there were positive things.
But in the end, we still lose and by a lot
, cursed winger Rio Dyer, 25 years old.
We always want to win, it's essential and that's why we play rugby.
Our group wants results.
» Results will come with experience, certainly.
The Leek XV showed itself to be naive in not taking points when they should have.
As a result, in each of its three matches, the team remained silent for at least one half.
Read alsoSix Nations: Wales with its youth but without North or Tompkins to challenge the Blues
But young Cameron Winnett is the player who covered the most meters with ball in hand in the Tournament.
The Cardiff full-back already has all the makings of a future star.
In defense, the young Welsh impress with their courage and aggression.
Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell are among the best tacklers in the competition.
“
Even though we are young, we will not be satisfied with the pride of being able to wear this jersey.
We want to win with this jersey
,” says Dyer, ambitious.
Put to the test by fire in this 2024 Tournament, Welsh youth must learn quickly and well.
And even if she loses all her matches, she will emerge from this campaign stronger.
The sequence of selections will do the rest.
“
I have no doubt about the direction we are taking
,” Gatland says.
This team will be excellent in the future once they gain some experience.
»