After a tumultuous 2024 edition but concluded on a good note after the victory over England (33-31), François Cros or Nolann Le Garrec scored points, while others may have lost their place.
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The 2024 edition of the Six Nations Tournament ended on Saturday March 16 with France’s close victory against England. The French XV has gone through all the emotions since its heavy defeat against Ireland, and Fabien Galthié has made saving changes in his squad for the end of the tournament. While the backbone of the globalist group seemed established, this tournament redistributed a few cards within the French XV.
They scored points: Cros, Ramos, Meafou, Le Garrec
François Cros and Thomas Ramos were already permanent fixtures in the French XV, and it would have taken a catastrophic tournament on their part to see their place put back into play. But the two players did the opposite: they showed why Fabien Galthié matters so much on them. François Cros did exceptional behind-the-scenes work, particularly in defense, as he regained his starting place following Anthony Jelonch’s injury. “He’s a regulator. He knows how to do everything”greeted Fabien Galthié.
Day 5: the penalty for Thomas Ramos’ victory
France won a penalty just before the end of the match almost 50 meters away. Thomas Ramos who had enormous pressure. He delivered a fairly powerful kick, enough to score the decisive and victorious three points.
For his part, Thomas Ramos was already the official scorer for the Blues. But he showed that his versatility made his presence mandatory in the group. Positioned at the opening after the injury to Matthieu Jalibert, the full-back finished, for the second consecutive year, best director of the Tournament (63 points), while passing the penalty for the victory against England. “Thomas has a lot of leadership, in the management of the game and over the men”confirms Fabien Galthié.
Next, Nolann Le Garrec. Taking over from Antoine Dupont in the French team sounds like a costume too big for anyone, but the young Breton played without complexes, to the point of being the revelation of the Tournament. Man of the match for his first start against the Welsh, magnificent chistera, nerve to spare, the Racingman dynamited the game of the Blues, often judged without spark in the absence of the Toulouse player. Two tries for his first two starts, at 21 years old, the Vannetais has undoubtedly won his place in the France group.
Day 4: Nolann Le Garrec’s superb chistera against Wales
Nolann Le Garrec delighted the public present in Cardiff during the match between the Welsh and the XV of France. After a volleyed pass from Damian Penaud, the scrum half sent a magnificent chistera from 30 meters to find Thomas Ramos.
Finally in the second row, Fabien Galthié had been waiting for several months to be able to combine the colossal Thibaud Flament and the overpowering Emmanuel Meafou. He was able to do this when the two Toulouse players returned from injury against Wales and England, who produced the best performances from the Blues. After trying Woki, Gabrillagues and Tuilagi, the Toulouse pair clearly stood out for their complementarity and solidity.
They lost credit: Lucu, Jalibert, Danty, Willemse, Woki
Direct consequence of the rise in power of Nolann Le Garrec: Maxime Lucu, Dupont’s usual understudy in the scrum, has fallen back in the hierarchy. Far from his level displayed with Bordeaux-Bègles, number 9 remains a reliable value when the score is favorable, but he pays for his lack of spontaneity in the face of the enthusiasm of Le Garrec, which the Blues’ game really needs without Dupont. “You have to accept criticism, even if it hurts and is harsh.he assumes. I’ve had some not very fun weeks, that’s what makes a rugby player..
Like his friend at the UBB hinge, Matthieu Jalibert, exposed defensively and not always very fair in attack, did not have his best tournament while he was coming off a great World Cup replacing Romain Ntamack, who has just returned to training. His injury against Italy replaced Thomas Ramos at opener. If the Toulouse player did not have any brilliant actions, he showed that he was a credible alternative in 10 to the return of Ntamack.
Holder during the 2023 World Cup, Cameron Woki went through the first three days of the Tournament without relief before disappearing from the match sheets after the return of Thibaud Flament. “We felt he needed to rest”, justified Galthié on his touchline, physically blunt like Peato Mauvaka. The hooker, who had shaken up the hierarchy following his excellent World Cup and the injury of his teammate Julien Marchand, seems to have regained his place as finisher.
Day 3: red card for Jonathan Danty (FRANCE 2)
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Finally, in the center, Gaël Fickou finished the tournament very strongly, but he undoubtedly lost his usual friend. After two very average performances against Ireland and Scotland before being sent off against Italy for a dangerous tackle, Jonathan Danty has let go of the competition as he turns 32. Sanctioned with a red card against Ireland, Paul Willemse (31) gave up a lot of the credit he had after being the strong man in the second line of the first Galthié era.
They set a date for the future: Barré, Tuilagi, Depoortère
“We are not in reconstruction, but in resilience.” Relieved by the final victory against England, Fabien Galthié affirmed that there was no reconstruction, but the coach still largely opened his squad to youth in this Tournament, often with success.
Beyond the Le Garrec success, the contribution of the gargantuan Posolo Tuilagi (19 years old), holder in the second line against Italy, and the center Nicolas Depoortère (21 years old), offered real alternatives in the event of injury. ‘an executive in their position.
Rugby: young Posolo Tuilagi could start
After 2 successful entries during the Six Nations Tournament, Posolo Tuilagi, particularly imposing in terms of his size and talent, impresses within the Blues. The young second line from Perpignan could see himself start for the first time this Sunday against Italy for the third match of the French XV.
At the back, Léo Barré (21 years old) still has to progress defensively in a very exposed position, but he was able to distinguish himself offensively against England, offering crazy energy rewarded by a victorious ride on the first try. In a game of musical chairs, he is now applying to take the place at the back if Thomas Ramos moves to the opening. Melvyn Jaminet, out against Ireland due to injury, has competition.