The Blues won, Sunday at the Stade de France, against the XV du Thistle (32-21), after a disheveled but nevertheless reassuring match.
Basically, an improved victory against a hitherto undefeated opponent, nothing to complain about. On the form, on the other hand, France did not remove all the doubts, in particular in the control of the ball. But the victory of the Blues, Sunday February 26, at the Stade de France put Fabien Galthié’s men back in the race for an always possible final victory in this 2023 Tournament. Faced with a team that was presented as the ideal opponent for be reassured, the XV of France alternated the good and the suspect.
What we liked
Jelonch, the meaning of sacrifice
We must save Private Anthony Jelonch. The third tricolor line was heroic on Sunday, delivering his body for the homeland. First by taking full iron the shoulder of the massive Gilchrist, crucified with a red card after this dangerous charge (7th). Barely time to recover from the shock that Jelonch threw himself starvingly at the Scottish bodybuilder winger Van Der Merwe, who was on trial. The sacrifice will not have been in vain since the player was pushed in extremis into touch, but he had a price: counted KO, Jelonch had to abandon his people. Fallen with arms in hand. Later in the evening, Fabien Galthié announces the terrible news: his player is suffering from a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee.
physics and alchemy
Exceeded in power by Ireland two weeks ago, the XV of France has visibly recharged the batteries. Faced with a playful team, which multiplied the races, the Blues managed to keep up the pace. A challenge. And a real relief, symbolized by a collective cohesion found, and cleaned of its slag (only 7 balls lost, against 17 for their opponent). In a totally disjointed match, the men of Galthié had the merit of never losing the thread of Scotland. Not so long ago, France would have been able to wither in large widths in the face of such a scenario.
Fickou is eternal
We would be almost surprised that he scored “only” his 13th try in blue. He’s been there for so long… But Gaël Fickou knows how to manage his effects. By tearing himself away, at the very last minute, to flatten the ball from the offensive bonus try, the three-quarter center tricolor concluded a match where he will still have been, in all respects, exemplary. Elected player of the game, he was again everywhere at once: 55 meters covered with the ball in hand, 11 assists, 15 tackles. The handyman (well) to do.
What we didn’t like
Haouas, the inconsiderate ram
It has been said enough that Mohamed Haouas played big in this game. May be too much ? The pillar, who replaced injured Atonio, clearly tripped under the pressure. Otherwise, how else to explain this whim on the Scot White at the end of a regrouping? If it did not harm the final outcome, this gesture will necessarily have sealed the end of the adventure, in any case momentary, of Haouas with the Blues. Especially since the player unfortunately this is not his first try against Scotland.
A game identity still vague
Faced with the land of ghosts, the game of the French sometimes seemed haunted. Between a clear desire to play and a chronic inability to get their hands on the ball (55% possession in favor of Scotland), Dupont’s partners left the unpleasant impression of moving on a thread. Fabien Galthié may insist that his players must play in the opposing camp, the latter have the unfortunate tendency to back down too much and bet on hypothetical counterattacks. Under these conditions, it is difficult to set up a possession game.
Finn Russell, the blackout
Scotland may have rubbed the lamp, but the genie (almost) did not appear. Presented, rightly, as the number 1 danger for the Blues, the Racing opener partially passed through. It is often the characteristic of these unpredictable players, capable of lighting up a match with their whole class as, sometimes, of completely outmaneuvering. As for example on this telephone pass that Ramos intercepts to spin to queen (19th). Subsequently, Russell, fortunately for his people, found some bits of his genius on improbable diagonals or on this power test (68th). But these flashes were too rare.