The French women's XV did not miss its meeting with Paris. After playing in Le Mans during the opening of the Six Nations Tournament against Ireland, the Blues returned to the capital and the Jean-Bouin stadium this Sunday, on the third day, to challenge Italy. And the stakes were high. In the event of defeat, the French could almost already say goodbye to their hopes of a final victory.
But they delivered! In a boiling stadium, filled with 13,586 fans waving tricolor flags, the French women's XV delivered a solid performance to overcome the valiant Italians (38-15), who had won in Ireland in the last match. However, the difference in level was far too great this Saturday for La Nazionale to hope to win.
From the second minute, the tone was set. After a magnificent offensive sequence, perfectly controlled by the Blues, Nassira Kondé scored the first try of the afternoon. A second could have followed a few moments later but a cruel forward just before the goal prevented the French from increasing the score.
A saving yellow card
The second try was finally slow to arrive. While the Italians had just scored their first points thanks to a penalty from Beatrice Rigoni, the Blues responded immediately. Nassira Kondé first scratched a ball just after the dismissal, before Assia Khalfaoui pierced the Italian defense and shifted Annaëlle Deshaye, who cleared three defenders before finishing (23rd).
A yellow card addressed to Italian third row Sara Tounesi then made the task easier for the French, who increased their lead. On the sideline that followed, Charlotte Escudero first flattened under the posts after having been launched perfectly in the interval (32nd). Mélissande Llorens, receiving a magnificent opening at the foot of opener Lina Queyroi, then offered the bonus try at the end of the first half (38th).
Place in Wales, before the terrible England
The second half resumed on the same basis. After a perfectly controlled touch five meters from the goal, Assia Khalfaoui scored the fifth try of the afternoon (44th), before Italy unlocked its try counter in the 55th by Alyssa D'inca. But the Blues have resources. After a magnificent scratch from Émeline Gros, Madoussou Fall overthrew the Italian defense to score the 6th and final French try (63rd). By scoring her double after a nice breakthrough along the line, Alyssa D'inca fixed the final score (38-15).
Charlotte Escudero scored one of the six French tries. Icon Sports
Thanks to this large bonus success, the Blues come back to within a small point of England, who won their first three meetings with the bonus. Next Sunday (4:15 p.m.), the French will travel to Wales, which has no victory in three matches, to try to offer themselves a breathtaking final against the XV de la Rose in Bordeaux (Saturday April 27 at 5:45 p.m. ).