keep the momentum, manage absences, dominate away… The keys to the match between Wales and the XV of France

Firmly installed in second place in the Tournament, the French must approach this fourth meeting, in Cardiff, as a dress rehearsal before facing England on April 27.

One last walk before the final. Time to travel to Wales, Sunday 21 April to 4:15 p.m. (live on France 2 and france.tv), the XV of France, second six points behind England, must gain maximum confidence before meeting up with the XV de la Rose six days later.

So that the dream of winning the competition for the first time since 2018 remains intact, defeat is forbidden against the Leek XV, defeated three times in as many matches, at the Arms Park in Cardiff. Franceinfo: sport presents the keys to the match.

Continue playing to validate the project

After their festival against Italy on the 14th April, the Tricolores will have to capitalize on a new offensive dynamic to bring down the Welsh at home. At the heart of the game project proposed by Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, the desire to move forward and bring the ball to life found echo against the Transalpines. In a sector which has been failing so far, the Blues have freed themselves, like a first line which has constantly picked up the balls to bring continuity to the French game.

“This year we have made some changes in the game plan, which allows us to play after contact and pass a little more,” recalled the captain, Manae Feleu, at the start of the week.

This need to confirm resonates in the words of third row Charlotte Escudero, who insists on the need to maintain this momentum. “We still have to mark the occasioninsisted the Toulouse woman at a press conference. We must not pass through, it is a very important match to continue our momentum. We are moving forward step by step before the last match in Bordeaux“, against England on 27 april.

Assert yourself externally

The sample is not large, since the French have so far only played one match away from home in 2024, but the French XV has not shone outside of France. A snatched victory against Scotland on the 30th March, which had not removed doubts about the potential of this young team. These reservations faded after the convincing success against the Italians, but need to be definitively put aside.

In great difficulty in this tournament, the Welsh only held off their opponents once, at home, against Scotland (20-18 defeat). A result which shows that the locals will not let themselves be walked on by the Tricolores.

At the start of the week, French fullback Emilie Boulard also agreed with this. “Matches against Wales are always very complicated, especially there“, she warns, while the pillar Assia Khalfaoui, who is aware that”they must wait for us”, noted the solidity of the opposing ranks and their desire.

Dealing with those who are absent

To counter the Welsh who rely in particular on the power of their pillar Sisilia Tuipulotu, the French women will especially have to sort out a few details behind. “We studied them a lot on video : the scores they receive do not reflect their level. It’s a team with super fast three-quarters, who play games.” notes Khalfaoui, elected player of the match against Italy.

The French three-quarter line will notably be deprived of two usual holders, Marine Ménager and Nassira Kondé, both victims of concussions during the last match. The septists Anne-Cécile Ciofani, Chloé Jacquet and Joanna Grisez are tenured. In a team which had played little since the start of the competition, the incoming will have to put doubt in the heads of the duo of selectors before the last big meeting of this 2024 edition. “It’s stimulating for our managers to have new players [….]Our entire three-quarter line feels supported”, assured David Ortiz on Friday.

Don’t take the easy route

They repeated it over and over during the week : the Blues are only thinking about this weekend. When the second line Madoussou Fall recalls that he “don’t put the cart before the horse“, it especially underlines the state of mind of the Tricolores, vigilant before playing a match considered largely within their reach. “We really said to ourselves that we were focusing on Wales first.” declared the Stade Bordeaux player. The risk of planning for England is not thinking about the next match, which is important.“

Especially since Fall, like Escudero, is well aware that a poor performance would destroy their chances of final victory. : “We cannot afford to gloss over this match and think directly about England without thinking about this weekend.”