Trailing after conceding the first try, the players of the XV of France finally got the better of the XV of Chardon, Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh.
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The union minimum to continue. A week after its inaugural victory against Ireland, the XV of France signed a second success by winning by a short header in Scotland (15-5), Saturday March 30, at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, during the second day of the Six Nations Tournament.
The Blues fought considerably to achieve this second success in a row, which they savored for a long time at the final whistle, among themselves, then with the few dozen French supporters who had made the trip, after a second and final try. to the mermaid by Emeline Gros. Manhandled by a very eye-catching Scottish team, by a noisy public totally committed to the cause of their opponents, by a biting fresh wind which swept the Hive Stadium throughout the game, the players of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz had to draw on their resources to take the lead.
Young Kelly Arbey to lead the way
At the age of 18, it was the young Kelly Arbey who first took on the role of savior by scoring her first international try for her second selection, at the end of a very well-constructed offensive, where almost all the players touched the ball (53rd). An achievement which allowed Les Bleues to take back control, and have a three-point lead.
Facing the Scots who didn’t give up, it took them almost half an hour to definitively put their opponents at bay, thanks to a try from Emeline Gros after the 80th minute of play, thanks to a lot of work from her team. forwards, and a ball well spread wide. The transformation of Lina Queyroi, who had missed the first, launched the victory celebrations.
Day 2: Kelly Arbey puts a smile back on the Blues’ faces with a first try
This match is complicated for the French but perhaps the hardest part is now done with the first try in this match scored by right winger Kelly Arbey in the second half, in the 53rd minute. The Blues finally confirmed their domination and got back in front despite the failure of Lina Queyroi’s transformation.
But these two nice actions were almost the only flashes of success in an otherwise delicate afternoon for the Blue, who almost tripped over the artificial turf of the Hive Stadium.
Great difficulties in finishing
Opposed to a galvanized Chardon XV, the French women foiled a lot. They first multiplied well-constructed offensives, but without succeeding in going all the way, stopped by their own errors, like Nassira Konde’s forward after a loss of balance a few meters from the line (16th ), or by a very solid Scottish defense, capable of stopping a Romane Ménager launched from 40 m (9th).
They were also guilty of numerous approximations, like this disagreement between Kelly Arbey and Marine Ménager near the goal line (50th). Crucified by the Scots on a ball carried shortly before half-time (34th), they scared each other.
With this second success in as many outings, the Blues (9 points) remain second in the ranking, behind the English Red Roses (10 points), uncompromising against Wales (46-10).