The French XV plays the opening match of the 2024 Tournament against Ireland on Saturday at Le Mans.
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Time to get back on a good footing. The French XV starts its Six Nations Tournament with its first match against Ireland, at Le Mans, Saturday March 23 (at 3:15 p.m. on France 2 and france.tv). For this second Tournament under the leadership of the duo Gaëlle Mignot-David Ortiz, the Blues, second last year behind the inevitable English, dream of coronation, of Grand Slam, and of leaving behind the disappointments of autumn.
Les Bleues are indeed approaching this Tournament in a spirit of revenge, a few months after their last outing in the international jersey, and a mixed first edition of the WXV. On the one hand, a historic victory in New Zealand against the Black Ferns in the opening, but on the other, two very disappointing defeats against Australia and Canada, although within their reach. “We questioned ourselves about the content […] It’s certain that we weren’t up to par in the two matches after the one against the Black Ferns.”conceded Gabrielle Vernier in an interview with AFP.
Learning from the WXV
In this Tournament, the Blues no longer want to make the same mistakes and to prepare, they have identified what they lacked this fall in New Zealand, from the lack of defensive aggressiveness to fumbling in attack. “We hope not to make the same mistakes for the Tournament and come up with more solutions and creativity, particularly offensively”asked Gabrielle Vernier to AFP. “I want to see a team that plays, that finds density, bite in conquest, as they were able to do in the Blacks match”explains Marie Sempéré, consultant for France Télévisions.
The two selectors, Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, also worked in this direction, to clarify the project of the XV of France and continue to contribute their touch. The challenge of the Tournament is also to continue building the group with a view to the next World Cup in England in 2025, in particular by injecting new blood. “This tournament is a great opportunity to integrate young people”assured Gaëlle Mignot after the announcement of her first team composition on Thursday. “We only see opportunities, the level of French rugby is increasing and the young girls are ready.” In the group of 23 to challenge Ireland, we find novices Kelly Arbey, starting on the wing, and Lina Tuy on the bench.
“The level of French rugby is increasing and the young girls are ready”
For them as for the rest of the group, the adventure begins this Saturday, at Le Mans, against Ireland, wooden spoon of the last Tournament, but reinforced by the arrival of septist players in the group. “Both sides want to match, the Irish are a big team, very frontal, we love that too”explained French captain Manae Feleu at a press conference. “Whether it’s the girls or the staff, everyone is focused on getting into the competition.”assured Gaëlle Mignot.
This first match should serve as a good start to the competition, which should end in a little over a month with the clash against England. “The ambition is to give ourselves the means to arrive at the decisive match with the baggage that will allow us to win the Tournament”, summed up David Ortiz. “For the moment, the most important thing is the whole process, the journey that will take us to this last match.”