Sparkling, then clumsy, before being monstrous in defense and against… XV France finally overcame Scotland (36-17) on Saturday February 26 at Murrayfield. France had been running behind such success since 2014.
In the icy atmosphere of the setting nestled in Edinburgh, the Blues won, thanks to a second period while mastery, a third consecutive victory in three games in the Six Nations Tournament. Undefeated leaders, the Blues can still dream of a Grand Slam that has eluded them for almost ten years.
In a totally untied encounter that went from elation to panic in the space of an instant, it’s hard to know where to start. In addition to its failure to start (return directly into touch and failed attempt by the back Melvyn Jaminet in front of the poles), the XV of France was above all brilliant. We even saw some Scots salute this “great rugby“respectful applause.
First there was “captain Dupont“, as valuable in his role as an attack blaster as in his ability to cut passing lines to annihilate Scottish offensives. It was he who put his head in the place of everyone by engaging a formidable recovery which led to the test of Willemse (7-0 in the 7th minute).
The beasts were finally unleashed. Shifted to the wing for his “hefty” profile and his fire canes, Yoram Moefana was, like Jonathan Danty, a winning choice for the coach. The Bordelo-Béglais took the opportunity to plant his first try in blue after a festival of passes in the defense of Damian Penaud and Cyril Baille (12-3, 13th).
Then, as against Ireland, the Blues experienced a soft spot. The French were particularly penalized (three faults in five minutes), before seeing the XV du Chardon return to two small points (10-12) just before the half-hour mark.
But Gregor Townsend’s players failed to turn the game around despite big chances. The forward of the rear and Scottish taulier Stuart Hogg in the 38th minute, when he only had to spin on the test, was the most brilliant symbol of it. It is surely there, moreover, that the turning point of the match was played. Just before halftime, the Blues decided to try a last ball by going into touch. Another winning choice. After a lunar cross race that young people will not have to reproduce in rugby schools, Gaël Fickou scored an incredible test of determination by flirting with the sidelines (40th, 19-10).
The Tricolores having accustomed us to missed starts to the second half, nothing was however done at half-time. However, center three-quarter Jonathan Danty dashed Scottish hopes after two minutes. Opportunistic, he rushed into the in-goal after recovering a little foot game over Damian Penaud.
The latter then drove the point home with two tries (60th and 74th), the second on a wonderful serve at the foot of Romain Ntamack. The back and scorer of the Blues, Melvyn Jaminet, particularly jostled in the air and less successful at the foot – the swirling wind did not help -, could have even made the score even more scathing (3/7 against the posts) .
The Scottish spectators, some of whom (rare image) left the stands before the final whistle, were far from thinking that they would end up disgusted by these Blues. The faults that came to weigh down the French conquest disappeared in the second half in favor of high-ranking defensive sequences, precise occupation kicking and counterfeiting of formidable efficiency.
The race for the Grand Slam is well and truly on. Next step ? March 11, where the French will move to Wales.