disoriented, the XV of France concedes a historic draw against Italy

Disappointing in the game and outnumbered throughout the second half, the Blues were held by opportunistic Italians (13-13) on Sunday in Lille.

The XV of France cannot raise its head. Two weeks after their almost unexpected victory in Scotland, the Blues were held by Italy (13-13) on the pitch at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille, Sunday February 25. The Blues, who conceded the first draw in their history against the Italians in the Tournament, even came close to being penalized since Paolo Garbisi missed the winning penalty after the siren.

It was a post which was celebrated by the public at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium as a liberating attempt. After a minute passed, Italy found itself with a first historic victory on French soil in the Tournament at the end of Paolo Garbisi’s foot, after a new penalty against the French. Slightly shifted to the left, under the whistles of the public, the neo-Montpellier saw his attempt shatter the poles. Enough to avoid the worst, an embarrassing defeat for the Blues, but seal a draw which does not suit the French camp any more, and which plunges it back into its doubts.

A saving pole

Already not spoiled by the arrival of the French Mauroy. In front of their rarely impressed eyes, the Blues delivered a very unconvincing performance for their third outing in this Tournament.

They who wanted to continue to taste victory, and perhaps reassure themselves in terms of offensive momentum, did neither. Facing the red lantern, they never really managed to put their game in place and find continuity. They showed too much waste and multiplied the approximations (19 turnovers conceded).

Weighed down by the bunker transformed into a red card against Jonathan Danty after returning from the locker room, they saw Italy gradually free themselves and put pressure on their 22. It was after a well-constructed action that Ange Capuozzo came score along the line the try which allowed Gonzalo Quesada’s men to get back on track. During the last ten crazy minutes, in front of a furious audience, they threw themselves into the attack to try to regain the lead, but they came very close to the disaster scenario, offering their opponents the match point on a final penalty, ultimately missed.

The Blues, more than ever under pressure

Enough to erase the start on the wheel hats of the Blues, who had shown good intentions in the first minutes of play. After the first scrum in the 22 meters of the Transalpins, they had put pressure on several relays until captain Charles Ollivon was able to flatten on the line (7th), a try validated by video refereeing. Finally the only offensive improvement of the afternoon.

This is the first draw between the two nations in the Tournament, while the Blues remained on a series of 14 straight victories against their transalpine neighbors. With this result, France stagnates in fourth place in the general ranking. She will travel under pressure to Wales, who could overtake her if they win in Cardiff in two weeks.