They have been very close at times, with frustrating defeats caused by poorly negotiated endgames in the recent past. But not this time. Les Bleues quickly understood that the defeat (12-24) would be inevitable on Saturday against England, and the context as much as the circumstances add to the pain of the setback.
One, because the XV of France was playing a final for the Grand Slam at home, in front of a stadium in Bayonne filled for the occasion, and it was not up to the event. Two, because this defeat does not only mean letting this Six Nations Tournament slip away, but shows the gap that Annick Hayraud’s players must fill in view of the World Cup this fall.
It was not for lack of leaving quickly, very quickly, so as not to let the Jean-Dauger stadium cool off and was heated by the anthem of Bayonne Rowing, the Pena Baiona. A scrum won, a French percussion and Romane Ménager who spins full axis to throw herself into the English in-goal (7-0, 4th). A clear action to perfectly launch an afternoon of madness for Les Bleues? The Basque dream dissipated very quickly, blown away by the British. And brutally.
Les Bleues concede the same try three times in a quarter of an hour
Impressive in physical density, the Red Roses got their hands on the ball and showed that they had not crossed the Channel to leave with the highest artistic mark but to win the Tournament. So they did the repetitive and frustrating for the tricolors. A touch, a carried ball, well grouped and unstoppable forwards, a try. And that, three times (12th, 17th, 27th).
Frustrating, annoying for the public and some French players who have started to complain about Scottish referee Hollie Davidson’s decisions, and demoralizing when at the same time you can’t return the favor. As at the end of the first period or despite an important highlight a few meters from the line, the Blues were chased from 22 meters without the slightest point taken to reward the efforts and make up for the delay.
The gap was widened -14 points at the break – and the English showed how a confident team with 22 wins in a row does not crack in these cases against an opponent dominated for the tenth time in a row in the Basque Country. Les Bleues did try to set the pace, but the British wall only cracked too rarely to give hope for anything. The strength test Annaëlle Deshayes (12-24, 67th) warmed up Jean-Dauger well, it was not followed by anything sufficient enough to overthrow the defending champions.
Appointment is now made for the month of October in New Zealand, where the two teams will meet from the pools of a World Cup which they will approach as favorites. But Saturday’s show of force showed that the XV of France is still behind its neighbors.
FRANCE – ENGLAND: 12-24
Half time: 7-21
France : tests by R. Ménager (4th), Deshaye (67th); Drouin transformation (4th)
England: tries by Davies (12th, 26th), Ward (17th), (26th); Scarratt transformations (12th, 17th, 26th); Scarratt penalty (60th)
Temporary evictions: Filopon (60th) for France; Harrison (44th) for England
France : Jacquet – Boujard (Boulard, 60th), Filopon, Vernier (Tremoulière, 68th), M. Ménager – (o) Drouin, (m) Sansus (Chambon, 79th) – Hermet (cap.), R. Ménager (Gros, 68th ), Ferer – Forlani (Annery, 47th), Fall – Joyeux (Brosseau, 66th), Sochat (Touyé, 66th), Deshaye (Lindelauf, 72nd)
England: Rowland – Thompson, Scarratt (cap.), Aitchison, Breach – Harrison (o), Infante (Hunt, 60e) (m) – Packer, Cleall (Galligan, 53e), Matthews (Beckett, 79e) – Ward, Aldcroft – Bern (Muir, 68e), Davies (Cokayne, 58e), Cornborough (Botterman, 58e)
