the XV of France solid in Scotland

Published on : 22/11/2020 – 18:26

Autumn is meant to be mild with the XV of France. Certainly, Fabien Galthié’s men barely missed a coronation during the 2020 VI Nations Tournament by finishing behind England with the difference in points scored. But the Blues continue their winning streak. After Wales and Ireland in October, France beat Scotland this Sunday for their entry into the Autumn Nations Cup (22-15, group B).

Vakatawa folded the case

In this new competition which replaces the international autumn tours, undermined by the coronavirus pandemic, the Blues had “officially” started with a 28-0 victory on November 15 on the green carpet against Fiji, forfeits due to multiple cases of Covid-19 in their workforce. For their real introduction, the Tricolores had an appointment in Edinburgh against the Scots. The same nation against which they conceded their only defeat of the year 2020, in March during the Tournament.

After a balanced first period on the scoreboard (12-12) but dominated in intentions by the French, the click came from the first moments of the second act with Virimi Vakatawa. Well supported by his teammates Gaël Fickou and Matthieu Jalibert, the Racing 92 player pierced the defense of the XV du Chardon and scored the only try of the match (41st). This single flash was enough to finally win at Murrayfield, a land so inhospitable lately with the Blues. The locals tried to come back, in vain, against a not flamboyant but attentive France team.

« It was just the victory that mattered. It makes everyone feel good. We wanted to have a good match here “, Told the channel France 2 Captain Charles Ollivon, who spoke of a ” wonderful year 2020 “And for which” everyone would have signed ” in January. ” We have to keep this “, he added. For the last match of this Autumn Nations Cup, on November 28 against Italy, the French group will be largely overhauled.