The Blues scored a fourth victory in as many group stage matches on Friday and finished at the top of their group for the first time in twenty years.
The contract is fulfilled for the XV of France. The Blues won their ticket to the quarter-finals of their World Cup at home by defeating Italy on the last day of the group stage (60-7), Friday October 6, at Groupama Stadium (Lyon). Enough to treat yourself to a resounding victory, the largest in their history against Squadra Azzurra, completing a perfect group stage and taking first place for the first time since 2003.
It was the match not to be lost, at the risk of going home, and the Blues did not give in. Two weeks after the historic defeat inflicted on Namibia, the players of the French XV offered a new offensive festival (eight tries). Not disturbed by the aura of the round of 16 that the match had, the Blues remained confident in their strength to pierce the Italian defense in the 2nd minute and hear the first Marseillaise come down from the stands.
Jalibert as playing master
Without Antoine Dupont, back from injury and forfeited for the match, the French did not lack vivacity and creativity. In particular thanks to the other member of the hinge, Matthieu Jalibert. Involved in the four French tries in the first period, before going to flatten himself after returning from the locker room, the Bordelo-Béglais showed himself to be very fair and inspired, like his perfect kick for Damian Penaud on the fourth French try, despite an Italian tackle when releasing the ball.
In the wake of its opener, the entire XV of France relied on its speed and explosiveness to overcome an overwhelmed Nazionale. At the finish, the French wingers also performed. Damian Penaud scored a double and brought his total number of tries in the French jersey to 35, which makes him the second best French scorer in history. Louis Bielle-Biarrey continued to impress and scored, at the age of twenty, his fifth try for his sixth selection. They were then relayed by the very good entry of the finishers, Yoram Moefana in the lead, author of a double in ten minutes.
Full of confidence before a choice piece in the quarterfinals
Not helped by the exit of their will-o’-the-wisp Ange Capuozzo at the half-hour mark, the Italians suffered without being able to respond for almost the entire game, only finding the fault in the 70th minute with a try for honor. Overwhelmed in the game, they were not even able to capitalize on the rare errors of the French, held to iron discipline (only 6 penalties conceded, three times fewer than during the last opposition between the two countries in February).
At least as many will be needed during the quarter-finals, where a big caliber normally awaits the Blues: a priori either South Africa, reigning world champion, or Ireland, world number 1 (unless Scotland defies all predictions). But at according to the party at Groupama Stadium, several tens of thousands of people already believe in a happy outcome.