England surprised many by defeating France despite low expectations, showcasing resilience after past defeats. Yoram Moefana stood out for France, proving his worth despite the loss. Fin Smith’s debut as fly-half was notable, leading to a crucial try. France struggled with missed scoring chances, prompting concerns about their performance, while their bench failed to make an impact. The ongoing discussion about the underachieving “golden generation” of French players continues as they seek further success.
Heartthrobs
**The Rose Finds Its Thorns**
Prior to this pivotal match, few anticipated a strong performance from England. With just three victories in their last ten outings, the English squad entered the game against France, led by Antoine Dupont, as the underdogs. Memories of a humiliating defeat to the French two years ago lingered, but the Rose XV often proves to be most formidable when expectations are low. United against the odds, England capitalized on France’s numerous missed opportunities. Their relentless spirit kept them in the game, allowing them to seize victory in the dying moments. Following a collapse in Dublin, they displayed remarkable resilience this Saturday.
Moefana: The Midfield Dynamo
In a match where he was relatively quiet against Wales, Yoram Moefana emerged as a key player for France at Twickenham. His robust performance showcased his strength against the physical English side. Moefana effectively balanced playmaking and physical engagement, proving his value on the field. Since joining the squad, he has become an integral part of coach Fabien Galthié’s plans, now establishing himself as the first choice at number 12 for two consecutive matches. Despite the disappointment of the loss, his influence was notable.
**Fin Smith: The Steady Hand**
Coach Steve Borthwick made a daring decision by starting young Fin Smith at fly-half while shifting Marcus Smith to fullback. This risky maneuver ultimately paid off. Although Smith initially struggled to find his rhythm, his performance improved significantly, culminating in a crucial try for Elliot Daly late in the match. His partnership with Alex Mitchell from the Saints undoubtedly eased his transition into the starting role. This promising debut may signal a bright future for the young fly-half.
Clawing Back
**The Dance of Missed Opportunities**
It’s challenging to recall a match where the French XV squandered so many scoring chances. Antoine Dupont and his teammates missed at least five significant opportunities during the game, a source of frustration and concern. Given the offensive prowess of the Toulouse and Bordeaux players, this underperformance raises questions. Was it a slippery ball? Fabien Galthié dismissed the idea of complacency, reflecting on the echoes of their previous encounter two years prior. Unfortunately, this was a day where nothing fell into place at the worst possible time.
**A Bench That Failed to Make an Impact**
The French XV typically prides itself on a strong bench. With a 6-2 split, their substitutes usually enhance the team’s performance in the closing stages. However, this was not the case at Twickenham. The substitutes failed to provide the expected boost, with second-row Hugo Auradou struggling under English kick-offs. In contrast, the more experienced English bench made a significant impact, with Jamie George and Elliot Daly contributing to the victory. Galthié expressed his frustration, stating, “We anticipated the finishers to keep the pressure on, and we will thoroughly analyze our performance. A one-point loss in the final moments is not something I can regard with satisfaction.”
The Golden Generation Still Seeking Glory
As history unfolds, the question arises once again: why has the golden generation of Dupont, Ntamack, Penaud, and Alldritt secured only a solitary Grand Slam in 2022? This year marks another missed opportunity. Observations from figures like Ugo Mola to Antoine Dupont highlight the talent within this generation, yet their accolades remain limited. Despite Galthié’s assertion that the team has won 80% of its matches, including some questionable counts, the focus remains on their record. The conversation will continue for another year unless the Blues triumph in this Tournament, although it won’t have the same significance as a coveted Grand Slam.