miraculously, the XV of France showers Scotland and signs its first victory since the elimination at the World Cup

Long in difficulty, the Blues were delivered on Saturday by a try from young Louis Bielle-Biarrey ten minutes from the siren.

There is still fire and madness in this XV of France. After the slap received against Ireland, the Blues snatched an almost unexpected victory against Scotland (20-16), Saturday February 10, during the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, on the lawn of Murrayfield, at Edinburgh. An uncertain success until the end, which the Blues owe to the referee’s decision not to validate the try which the Scots believed to have flattened beyond the siren.

While it had just taken the advantage for the first time in the match – and in the entire Tournament – thanks to a brilliant and saving try from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the XV of France thought it had lost everything, after having thrown away its last strength in the battle to defend his meager advantage. The Scottish pack indeed collapsed in the French goal in stoppage time, which stretched out. After long minutes of viewing the video, referee Nic Berry decided to stick with his initial decision, due to lack of clear proof that the ball had indeed been flattened.

The lightning of Bielle-Biarrey

The Blues and their supporters trembled and went through all the emotions at the end of ten minutes of madness, which transfigured a hitherto insipid match. Led and manhandled for 70 minutes, Fabien Galthié’s men took the lead thanks to the genius of Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The young Bordeaux winger, left on the bench for tactical choices in the opening match against Ireland, burst into the gray Edinburgh after a clever kicking play for himself which eliminated four Scottish players. A crazy run finished in goal that shut down Murrayfield and saved his team’s game.

Thanks to him, the French collective was able to express its joy and relief. At the microphone of France Télévisions, the Bordeaux-Bègles winger did not hesitate to talk about “founding victory” and celebrated this success at length under the clapping of his supporters and several Marseillaises.

Always defects to erase

If this victory carried away the players so much, it is because the afternoon got off to a very bad start for the XV of France. Borrowed offensively and especially dominated defensively, like a Jalibert-Lucu hinge once again in difficulty, the Blues suffered for a long time against a playful and efficient Scottish team. As against Ireland, they shot themselves in the foot because of too many errors and slags, notably missed receptions on high balls and misunderstandings in passing. Faults ultimately without consequences, but which almost cost dearly. As against Ireland, they also played outnumbered, but only ten minutes after the yellow card collected by Uini Atonio (38th).

The Blues came very close to a third defeat in a row, which has never happened before under the orders of Fabien Galthié. The latter appeared relieved and confident in front of the camera. “You will see, we will come back very strong”, he promised. One thing is certain, his French XV raised its head and symbolically won its first victory since the heartbreaking elimination in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.