Les Bleues won against Wales (39-14), their fourth success in as many games in the Six Nations Tournament on Sunday.
A fourth success to stay on the road to the Grand Slam. A multi-faceted XV of France won a solid victory, at home, against Wales (39-14), Sunday April 23. First in great success, the Blue, carried by remarkable individual performances, also suffered the Welsh highlights.
We liked
The brilliant first period
They delivered the first forty minutes of a very high level. Throughout the first period, the Blues completely took over their opponents. With four tries scored, including two before the ten-minute mark, and an offensive bonus validated at the break, the Blues monopolized possession and occupation. The tricolor success transpired in all areas of the game, since the French also returned to the locker room without any points conceded. So many reassuring signals before moving on the lawn of the best team in the world.
Jessy Trémoulière’s farewell to the French public
Goodbye Queen. For his last outing on a French lawn, Jessy Trémoulière perfectly fulfilled his role as conductor. Always on the right tempo, author of her best foot performance in this Tournament (over 50% success rate), she entertained the 18,600 spectators at the Stade des Alpes (new record for a Tournament match), who gave him well. Honored for her career during a small ceremony after the final whistle, she was acclaimed for a long time by her teammates and the public. “I had fun with the girlfriends, we created good memories too, with the public, it was a great afternoon”she appreciated at the microphone of France 2 after the meeting.
Gaëlle Hermet, the rebirth
She knew how to find her place. Against the Welsh, Gaëlle Hermet chained a second successful tenure. Author of a test and a sublime decisive discount, precious to progress the game (72 meters won), the Toulouse was named best player of the meeting. A great success for the former captain, neglected and demoted to the bench during the first two games of the competition by the new coaches. She is a serious candidate to start the “final” at Twickenham, on which she has already projected herself at the microphone of France 2: “Now we have 80 minutes left to achieve the goal we have set ourselves.”
We liked less
Weak time in defense
As the weather conditions deteriorated above their heads, Les Bleues lost track of their game. After the 50th minute of play, the balance of power was momentarily reversed, and the French suffered in their 22 meters and on their line. Under the pressure of multiple percussions, they ended up giving in and conceding two tries in the space of five minutes (52nd, 57th), which is as much as in their first three games. If they managed to maintain their advantage, they could pay more for this kind of weak time already next weekend against England.
The first line shaken
Almost always level since the start of the Tournament, the first French line has not always been imperial against the Welsh. She was particularly embarrassed by the entry of Sisilia Tuipulotu, first to compensate for a concussion protocol then after the first Welsh try, which made her power speak. Even before the wind picked up, Agathe Sochat had been sanctioned for a throw not straight into touch (35th). The difficulties also extended to the scrum, especially during the Welsh highlights close to the tricolor goal (55th). Here too, the solidity of the French pack will be put to the test at Twickenham, during the “final” on Saturday 29 April.