The spring mildness first intoxicated the spirits, without much success, forwards extinguishing the first sparks. Then, both French and Italian women refocused on the fundamentals based on ground combat and rough tackles. In this little game, it was the XV of France who ended up wearing out their bodies before finding spaces to impose themselves largely (39-6), Sunday March 27, in a boiling Stade des Alpes of almost 13,000 souls.
If everything has not been perfect, the contract is completed for the Blue. First match in the Six Nations Tournament and first success with the offensive bonus for this ambitious team which hopes to delight the English crown and win the coronation. The Habs will have to continue against Ireland next Saturday. A Clover XV which will inevitably be revengeful after its surprise defeat at home against Wales.
Too much desire and stress and a certain need to find automatisms after several months without evolving together (the Blues had not played together since November). “There was a bit of all that“, conceded the captain of Les Bleues, Gaëlle Hermet, questioned at half-time at the microphone of France 2, to explain the start of the Tricolores match weighed down by forwards and unusual faults (6 penalties at half an hour of Game).
Facing them, the Italians were not left out. The many recovery balloons have also offered some solitary breakthroughs. The back of the Bleues, Chloé Jacquet (final French try in the 78th), had her canes admired, like the Italian opening half Beatrice Rigoni whose superb interception on a too legible pass from her vis-à-vis Caroline Drouin stopped not far from the line. That said, this meeting chopped by the fallen balls could never really get carried away.
It was above all played in front. Never mind, in the sector, the French know how to do it. The second line of the Blue, Madoussou Fall, elected player of the match, was particularly illustrated (15 tackles, 100% success). Insatiable tackler alongside Gaëlle Hermet, she is behind the first try of the Bleues. A test in his image, all in power and determination (18th, 10-3).
After having made the round back on several long Italian sequences, it sounded like a first release. The third-line center of the Blue, Emeline Gros, former Grenoble, added a layer by picking up the ball in position nine before spinning between the posts thanks to an explosive start (26th, 17-3). Behind, the opener of the Bleues, Caroline Drouin, was precious at the foot (4/5) to chastise the indiscipline of the Transalpines and validate the efforts of the girlfriends.
The entry of the experienced Laure Sansus, in the fray, also did good to bring back some speed and progress. She was also at the start of the action which led to the test of Léa Murie on the wing (59th, 25-6). Returning to the game at the end of the match, Emilie Boulard came to inflate the score by planting a try after having escaped two tackles (76th, 32-6). At the end of the match, the work of physical undermining ended up paying off. The Transalpines exploded.
In summary, the Blues have imposed themselves largely, without really shining. One thing is certain, however, despite the cracks on the line, the Blues finally showed a certain pragmatism, scoring almost every time they managed to force their way into the opposing 22 meters. Despite a long stammering attack, they leave Grenoble with five tries in their pocket. And, icing on the cake, they didn’t take a test.