If the Blues remain these punchers, capable of inflicting a knockout on a brilliant action, they also showed, on Saturday February 12 at the Stade de France, real abilities to take the blows to overcome Ireland (30 -24) and take the lead in the Six Nations Tournament standings alone. A few figures are revealing in this regard.
15% possession in the 22 meters: a better exploited and more decisive ball
If the Blues had the ball slightly less in hand than the Irish (46% against 54%), they had it more clearly in the opposing camp (14.5% against 11.2%) and especially in the 22 meters of the opponent (15% against 10%). Under these conditions, they were able to make their collective speak, as evidenced by the perfectly constructed tries of Dupont and Baille) while the Irish scored 2 of their 3 tries on lightning attacks that did not require great possession of the ball.
156 assists to 118: the French take on the Irish at their own game
Against all odds, the number of passes is quite clearly in favor of the men in green (156 against 118), twisting the neck of the reputation of a non-player XV of Clover. But Galthié’s men were more effective in the rucks (4 lost against 6 for the Irish), preventing the opposing machine from turning on all its cylinders. Similarly, the Blues have excelled in an area where Ireland generally impresses: dominant tackles (5 against 2).
54% occupancy: a grip of the land under the sign of realism
If they had less the ball, the Blues nevertheless occupied the opposing field more than Ireland (54%). A figure which therefore underlines that France suffered but that it knew, under danger, to send the game back to the green camp, in particular thanks to the decisive footwork of Melvyn Jaminet.
Only 7 penalties: rediscovered discipline
Fouls had been the big shadow on the board against Italy. The latter suffered a good sponge blow since he went from 14 penalties conceded to only 7. A saving discipline against an opponent quick to sanction the slightest misconduct.
115 meters traveled: a third line that held firm
The match was very much, as expected, in the heart of the game. And, facing the terrible third green line (Doris, Conan, Van der Flier), the French trio composed of Jelonch, Alldritt and Cros did better than support the comparison. The three Blues thus tackled less (38 against 41) while covering many more ball meters in hand (115 against 57). Deprived of oxygen, the Irish were forced to deviate from their initial flight plan and play against nature by moving away.
