By losing (32-19) on the field of very effective Irish, the Blues say goodbye to a second consecutive Grand Slam, from the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, Saturday
End of series for the Blues. The XV of France was dominated by Ireland (32-19) on behalf of the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, Saturday February 11, on the lawn of the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Fabien Galthié’s men, overtaken by a formidable Irish team, remained in contact for a long time, but they lacked success to hope for better. The XV du Clover, world number 1, marks its territory against its runner-up in the planetary ranking six months before the World Cup in France.
Against this Irish team, in the cauldron of the Aviva Stadium, the XV of France failed to rise to the extent of the challenge. As the skies over Dublin darkened, the Irish storm overwhelmed the Habs. They struggled to contain the waves of attack from the Greens, who scored the first try in the ninth minute on a fine offensive concluded by Hugo Keenan. Overwhelmed by the fast and efficient game of XV du Clover, they were overwhelmed by a team that forgives no mistakes, or almost.
Overwhelmed in all areas
Guilty of concentration swings, the French sometimes let their opponents return after their rare highlights, as evidenced by the second try of the XV of Clover scored by James Lowe just after the formidable achievement of Damian Penaud. They were also feverish in the face of opposing pressure and in the rucks (twice as many rucks won).
Much less glaring than a week ago in Italy (only seven penalties conceded), the indiscipline also cost the French dearly, since it was after the yellow card inflicted on Uini Atonio for a dangerous tackle (26th) that the Greens took off, thanks to a third try scored at 15 against 14. Enough to make the finishers react on the bench, who did not hide their disappointment when they saw the tricolor pillar come out.
Resistant to the end
Dominated, the French however fought until the end. Throughout the match, the noisy French colony was heard in the stands, quickly motivated by the superb try of Damian Penaud, who had disgusted the Irish supporters (18th).
Long kept short of a transformed try, they gave the impression that they could resist and even come back. Superior in the game, the XV of Clover trembled until the last moments, despite the last try from Garry Ringrose in the last ten minutes.
With this defeat, the first since July 2021 in Australia, the French team lets slip its record series of 14 straight wins. Antoine Dupont and his teammates also give up on the wet lawn of the Aviva Stadium their dream of an unprecedented double Grand Slam (since the tournament brings together six nations). The reception of Scotland in two weeks, for the first home game at the Stade de France, will have to show that these Blues have the spring.