First world nation, steamroller, archfavorites… Lthere is no shortage of superlatives when it comes to to qualify the English, the next opponents of the French in Pool C of this 2022 World Cup. Faced with an undefeated nation in the last three years, the task promises to be tough for the XV of France, Saturday, October 15, at Whangarei (New Zealand).
Because even if Red Roses star Emily Scarratt assured AFP that “it will be very difficult” against the team of Thomas Darracq, England impresses so much that it is difficult to see how Les Bleues could create the feat. But how to explain such domination?
Are the English unbeatable? #RWC2021 | #FRAvENG pic.twitter.com/tu5CJU6VfZ
— Rugby World Cup (@RugbyWorldCupFR) October 13, 2022
Because they were professional before anyone else
This supremacy over the discipline is anything but the result of chance, England being the first nation to have undertaken the development of women’s rugby. From 2017, thehe English Federation is ahead of the competition by investing more than three million euros to initiate the professionalization of its national championship, increasing it to 10 teams with franchises from the women’s sections of the big clubs for men.
“They are the best prepared team and with the most depth that we have ever had”
Simon Middleton, coach of the English teamat a press conference before the start of the World Cup
“England understood before anyone else the stakes of women’s rugby by promoting the Premier 15s as the equal of a men’s championship”judge Laura Di Muzio, former French international become consultant.
In the continuity of this first pose, everything is done to promote the good work of the Red Roses. Since 2019, the internationals have federal contracts allowing them to devote themselves solely to the practice of their sport, while the other players work on the side.
‘Cause they’re on an impressive winning streak
The difference in method is, moreover, felt bothhe English women have been running at full speed since their last defeat in July 2019. On their way after 25 wins in a row, including two against world champions New Zealand at the end of 2021, Simon Middleton’s players blew up inexperienced Fijians (84-19) last Saturday for their entry into this World Cup, thanks to an impressive shovelful of 14 registered tries.
.@cf_macdonald was on fire
Which try was your favourite? @rugbyworldcup | #TeamDream | #RedRoses pic.twitter.com/2TZYCg2VN2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 9, 2022
Before facing the Blues, the Red Roses therefore advance confidently. Especially since they have won the last ten duels against their favorite opponent. In April again, France logically lost 24-12 in the “final” of the Six Nations Tournament. But nothing of what “to make a fix”nor think of a “revenge” according to Gaëlle Mignot, Thomas Darracq’s assistant in charge of the scrum.
On the Habs side, it is estimated that a success is “possible”. “Certainly, we don’t win the last matches against them, but we are never farjudged thewinger Émilie Boulard after the victory against South Africa last week. Inevitably, there is a little annoyance because we want to get there, but our motivation to beat them is increased tenfold.. It is still necessary that the motivation is sufficient.
Because they demonstrate efficiency thanks to a group that knows each other well
While Les Bleues are advancing in this World Cup without much certainty after an unreassuring autumn tour, Simon Middleton has the chance to count on a “mix of executives and small young people injected as they go” which he knows by heart according to Laura Di Muzio. It must be said that like six of the current players – including the captain Sarah Hunter who is due to equal the record of 137 caps with England on Saturday – the coach was already with the Red Roses, as an assistant, when they won their second world title in 2014.
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Since taking over as head coach seven years ago, he has had time to establish a minimalist but devilishly effective style of play. “We build our game around our scrum-half and our fly-half, he summed up at a press conference. Le role of the first is very simple: go quickly in the rucks, quickly put the ball back in the hands of the opener, move on to the next one and repeat the operation”. Result, the English excellent on the balls carried. Thomas Darracq has also estimated that “between 70 and 80% of English tries are scored on penalties”. To top it off, the rear Helena Rowland often scores with a long and powerful footwork.
“The English are physically and technically a cut above. As they have very athletic profiles, they win all the duels. When you add to that an unequaled fluidity in the world between their forwards and their three-quarters, it does damage .”
Laura Di Muzio, former French international and consultantat franceinfo: sport
In short, England are an infernal machine that exploits any weakness in their opponent. Not a good omen for France, which again experienced a 50-minute air gap against a much weaker South Africa on paper. It now remains to be seen whether the Bleues will be able close this class of gap for the duration of a meeting.