After a one-week break, the French women's XV returns to the field this weekend for the 3rd day of the Six Nations Tournament. Les Bleues challenge Italy this Sunday (1:30 p.m.) at the Jean-Bouin stadium in Paris. After two victories, at Le Mans against Ireland (38-17), then in Edinburgh against Scotland (15-5), Manae Feleu's teammates want to continue to pursue their Grand Slam dream.
They will also have to convince, after two rather sluggish outings, during which the players of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz lacked efficiency near the lines. “The frustration of the first matches is still there. We focused a lot on that, we worked a lot on the brand areas, explains third line Romane Ménager. We will try to be more efficient, on different types of games. May we be able to cross the line! »
In this match which will also be the last of Irish referee Joy Neville (seven years at the highest level), the Blues hope to be pushed by the Parisian public, whom they find ten years after their last match at Jean-Bouin. It was in 2014, during the Women's World Cup. “I was in the stands supporting them,” remembers the replacement scrum half, Alexandra Chambon, 23 years old. It’s great, I can’t wait to discover the Parisian public. »
The Jean-Bouin stadium has not yet been full
The French women's XV is rather used to touring provincial stadiums. In Jean-Bouin, it will be necessary to fill the 20,000 seats in a stadium which often has difficulty filling up, even with Stade Français leading the championship. Just over half of the tickets were sold by midweek. “Come and see us play, you will enjoy yourself,” says three-quarter center Nassira Kondé.
The matches against Italy are indeed often great posters for the girls. “There is this Latin rivalry, they are always special matches,” admits Alexandra Chambon. “We can't wait to play in this legendary French rugby stadium,” adds Gaëlle Hermet, the experienced third row (60 caps). Everything is there for a great match! »