The symbol is too beautiful for the Blues not to welcome it. The master Shaun Edwards, revolutionary coach in charge of the blue defense after spending eleven years at the bedside of Wales, has much to be proud of. Thus, the Blues took the best of the Leek XV (13-9) above all, and once is not custom, thanks to a solid defensive performance, Friday March 11 in Cardiff.
If the Tricolores have crossed several levels for two years in this area, the tricolor attack has often shone (more than 30 points scored in each match since the start of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament). The tireless work of the former England international to instill a true defensive culture in his troops found a superb echo on the lawn of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Put under pressure by a welded Welsh block, the XV of France, sometimes pushed to their limits, applied themselves to install a solid defensive base, and not to be overwhelmed. In total, the Blues show 93% success in the exercise on Friday evening.
Romain Ntamack, author of a very good match on the Cardiff meadow, symbolizes this new philosophy. Usually at the heart of the game to distribute and regulate, the Toulousain donned the costume of shadow lieutenant tonight, setting the pace to annihilate most Welsh initiatives. In the last minutes, he intercepted an important ball in his 22 meters to clear the camp of the Blues. With seven tackles, the number 10 is among the best in this area, not far from specialists Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty (10 each). “Tonight we are satisfied with our defense (…) There are games like that where, when things don’t want to, you have to be able to tighten up, take advantage of penalties and that’s what we managed to make”reacted the Toulousain in the post-match conference.
The French only defend
Big highlight for the Leek XV
The LIVE: https://t.co/chmTsJaxmD pic.twitter.com/hShqzcm9C1— francetvsport (@francetvsport) March 11, 2022
Jonathan Danty also worked to stop the few breakthroughs of Leek’s XV, such as against Liam Williams on the return from the locker room (43rd), with the support of Paul Willemse (13 successful tackles in the match). In front, his club teammate, Uini Atonio, was invaluable in breaking up the opposing scrums. Author of several unusual hand faults at the start of the game, Grégory Alldritt made up for it in the fight, with 12 successful tackles for only one missed. François Cros was the most active of the two teams (14 successful tackles, only one missed). “It passes tonight thanks to an exceptional defense and a good state of mind”soberly summarized the third line after the meeting.
Thus, the XV of France has changed its game to adapt to its opponent in the evening. Fabien Galthié’s men had to take their troubles patiently on Friday evening in Cardiff. A small test, ten points in the pocket at half-time, three more only over the whole second period: the balance sheet turns out to be leaner than usual, but no less satisfactory.
The Blues have, in fact, held the shock. Although mistreated, they conceded their lowest number of points since the start of the competition, and ended for the first time a meeting without a try conceded. “Attack sells tickets to fill stadiums, defense wins titles”, as Shaun Edwards used to say. The French paid him the most beautiful tribute, and can now dream of the Grand Slam.