These four young Blues celebrated their first international selection with a large French victory (45-24) in Wales on Sunday.
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Under the applause of the numerous French supporters present in the aisles of the Millennium Stadium, all four enjoyed, each at their own pace, their first lap of honor in the jersey of the France team. The successful victory (45-24) of the Blues in Cardiff, Sunday March 10, undoubtedly had an even more special taste for Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Nicolas Depoortere (Bordeaux-Bègles), Léo Barré (Stade français) and Georges- Henri Colombe (La Rochelle), who celebrated their first international selection, the first three as starters, the Rochelais coming off the bench.
Day 4: Georges-Henri Colombe scores his first try and gives the Blues the advantage with a quarter of an hour to go
Entering the game around ten minutes ago, the pillar of Stade Rochelais, Georges-Henri Colombe allows the Blues to take control of this match of the 6 Nations Tournament against Wales. After a long sequence of domination, the French managed to cross the goal line thanks to the power of their pillar who scored his first try for his debut with the national team.
After the final whistle, in the bowels of the Millennium, everyone expressed their “pride” and their happiness. “I’m very happy, it’s a childhood dream that has come true”appreciated Nicolas Depoortere, aged 21 like Léo Barré, at the microphone of France 2. “Playing with this team, with this country, it’s huge, it’s a dream”, for his part, enjoyed Emmanuel Meafou (25), the Australian second line naturalized French in November, before going to greet the supporters with his baby in his arms. A unique moment for someone who has put several months of missed meetings with the Blues behind him. “I want congratulate the players who entered, who celebrated their first cap (…) They bring us their talent”mentioned Fabien Galthié at a press conference.
Congratulated by the coach and teammates
Entering the first wave of changes, around the 50th minute, to replace Uini Atonio as right pillar, a very familiar pattern for the two Rochelais, Georges-Henri Colombe (25 years old) had undoubtedly not imagined that he would deliver his team with a symbolic first try, which launched the last twenty minutes of very good quality for the blue collective. “It’s a lot of pride, I’m very happy to have been able to participate in this great victory. We prepared well for this match all week, I’m very happy”he reacted to the microphone of France 2 shortly after the final whistle. “We know very well what they are capable of. We found them very good, well done to them”wanted to congratulate Julien Marchand in the mixed zone.
The novices, particularly the youngest, also measured the expectations and reality of very high-level rugby. “It hits hard, it goes fast”thus retained the Bordelo-Béglais Nicolas Depoortere, who also appreciated the second act “extraordinary”where the Blues have “speeded up the game” And “continued testing”.
Not destabilized by the hot atmosphere
If they were impressed by the atmosphere, in one of the hottest stadiums in world rugby, the four beginners did not let themselves be destabilized. “Obviously, there was apprehension”, recognized Nolann Le Garrec with a smile, not “blue”, but starting for the first time with the XV of France. The Racingman has mentioned the stadium and the atmosphere several times. “I’m not a stressed person, but it’s true that today was perhaps a little more tense.”
Thomas Ramos found them ready and on level: “We tried to support them as best as possible all week. But these are guys who mostly play every week in the Top 14, or even in the European Cup, so they are very mature for their age.” “And they can show even more”, assured Julien Marchand, who rubs shoulders with “Manny” Meafou in Toulouse. Some of them will perhaps have the opportunity to continue, next Saturday, against England, and capitalize on this good first.