“The English are not unbeatable”, assure the players of the XV of France

The French women’s XV has taken up residence in Bordeaux. On Saturday, they play “the final” of the tournament against England, the first nation in the world that the Blues have not beaten for six years.

The French XV has suffered 12 defeats in a row against English players, but there is no question of having an inferiority complex. The French have repeated it throughout the week: they are convinced of being able to win the Crunch on Saturday April 27 against the XV de la Rose on the last day of the Six Nations Tournament. This meeting is a true “final” between the two rival teams, who have both won their first four matches.

On paper, it is not easy to believe in it before going to face the indestructible first nation in the world, recognizes hooker Agathe Sochat. “Next year I would like to tell you that we are favorites! Obviously, that remains the downside of recent years. Afterwards, there is no glass ceiling. The English are not unbeatable, New Zeeland proved it in the World Cup final. supports the player of the XV of France, in reference to the New Zealand victory in the World Cup final in 2022 (34-31).

A new game project focused on the offensive

But since this disillusionment in the World Cup final, the English have not suffered the slightest defeat. The players know each other by heart, almost all play in the same club and mainly play in a professional English championship. But opposite, for six weeks, the Blues have worked hard on a new game project focused on the offensive, and progressed in particular on the mental aspect, explains Marine Ménager. “That was one of our faults. We are French so we take everything very seriously and we experience the emotions times a thousand. With the mental trainer, we did a lot of work on it,” explains the three-quarter wing.

She is also convinced that the record attendance expected on Saturday in Bordeaux will allow them to further raise their level. The Chaban-Delmas stadium is in fact almost full and could be sold out on Saturday.

“Having 27,000 people pushing behind it gives the impression of being stronger, safer. That’s going to play an important role this weekend.”

Marine Ménager, three-quarter wing of the XV of France

at franceinfo

Annaëlle Deshayes, pillar of the XV of France and Stade Bordelais is also counting on “the 16th man” for this match. “It will help us to be able to galvanize ourselves even more,” she assured France Bleu Gironde on Friday. Last year, the French XV ultimately only failed by five small points (38-33), in a Twickenham stadium filled with more than 55,000 English supporters.