the XV of France offers a large victory against Italy and consolidates its second place

For the resumption of the Six Nations Tournament after a week’s break, the Blues won without trembling against Italy on Sunday afternoon in Paris.

A big victory to start the last block in the best possible way. The French XV largely won against Italy (38-15), Sunday April 14, on the lawn of the Jean-Bouin stadium, in Paris, at the end of the third day of the Six Nations Tournament. While they had been shaken by the players of the Squadra Azzurra a year ago in the opening, this time they gave their opponent no chance and went on to achieve their most successful success since the start of the competition.

In the den of the Stade Français, where the French XV had not played since the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup, they offered the Parisian public, ready to support them with great fanfare, an almost complete match. More comfortable on the synthetic turf and under the bright sun, they dominated the Squadra Azzurra in an offensive festival (six tries scored).

A lack of efficiency finally erased

Singled out for their lack of offensive efficiency during their first two outings, the players of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz set the sights, well launched by a first try scored in the second minute of play by Nassira Konde. Legs on fire, faithful to their new playing principles which dictate bringing the ball to life as much as possible, the Blues multiplied their well-constructed offensives (6th, 17th).

Able to find spaces in the opposing curtain, like Annaëlle Deshaye’s breakthrough – particularly prominent – on the second French try (23rd), or to make differences thanks to the clever and precise kicks of Lina Queyroi and Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, the French also offered variety in their game. Thanks to the fourth try planted by the returning Mélissande Llorens after a cross at the foot of Lina Queyroi, the offensive bonus was acquired in the 38th minute.

Largely in the lead, the Blues came back strong from the locker room, to score two additional tries from Assia Khalfaoui (45th) and Madoussou Fall (62nd), full of power and celebrated with big smiles. In a second half that was a little more balanced and contested, they never trembled.

A final block well launched before Cardiff and England

On Sunday, the players of the French XV did not spare themselves a few shivers, like when the post bar sent the ball back into the Italian hands a few meters from the line (52nd), or on the two tries conceded, the last at the end of the match on a dazzling acceleration from Alyssa d’Incà (78th), quickly erased by a noisy Marseillaise. Enough to refine the areas of work and allow these Blues to hold matches more firmly until the last second.

Thanks to this promising success, the Tricolores, who could have found themselves under threat from the Italians in the event of defeat, consolidate their second place in the ranking behind the English locomotive. They will return to the field next weekend, Sunday April 21, against the Welsh in Cardiff, to validate this good series and offer themselves a dream final against the Red Roses, on April 27.