All the newspapers are focusing on the Rugby World Cup, and like to dream, through a slightly chauvinistic reflex, of a French victory. ” France conquering the world », titre Le Figaro, with the photo of the XV of France on the front page, players united, intertwined, hands on shoulders, they form an apparently solid circle. The first challenge is this Friday evening, against New Zealand. ” Faced with these warriors sublimated by the haka, the tricolors will have to play the “holy funk” in the stomach, this healthy fear which pushes one to transcend oneself and demonstrate the legendary French flair, that touch of extravagance in the action which disconcerts the adversary », ignites Le Figaro. Who, in passing, tackles, without naming them, football fans: “ In the stands where all the colors of jerseys mix, good humor, cordial understanding and fraternization reign. Everyone supports their favorite, without holding it against their neighbor for encouraging the adversary. »
Rugby too, on the front page of Release
« World Cup: desire in blue », headlines the newspaper, which also does not disdain lyrical flights: “Supported by an entire country, the XV tricolor hopes to win the trophy for the first time in its history. » Is this a dream? Yes, tells us Releasebut one ” reasonable dream, […] sportingly this ambition is even logical. It’s been three years now that Fabien Galthié’s team has put together performance after performance. ». Et Release defends itself from possible criticism: “ There is no question of chauvinism here. Lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy for the first time is within the reach of the French team. »
Enthusiasm
« On the way to paradise », simply tells us Today in France. Eight pages for the Rugby World Cup, including one devoted to the referee’s gestures, very difficult to decipher for newbies. In 12 small photos, the newspaper gives us a helping hand: “ Hand raised, back and forth movement? […] The player dropped the ball in front of him. The referee orders a scrum. » Or again: the referee indicates the direction of the opposing posts? ” The team that benefits from a penalty chooses to attempt it. »
And then, the World Cup is also an opportunity to do business. Amidst the reports and columns on rugby in Today in France, A full page advertisement for a car brand is displayed, it is the most prominent player of the French team who is at the wheel…
Fervor
« rekindle the flame », headline on the front page The cross, more accustomed to being enthusiastic about the Pope’s trips than about sport. But it is the societal issue that interests daily life above all, he chose for his front page, a photo of the public in a stadium. ” From the World Cup to the Olympic Games, France is entering a sporting year that could recreate social cohesion. » The cross gives the floor to a specialist in the geopolitics of sport, Jean-Baptiste Guégan who believes that “ the idea of resetting a kind of French dream is permissible. […] We are emerging from the coronavirus, France has been marked by attacks, yellow vests then riots. With sport, we are in one of the rare moments of national cohesion. When the event is here, it’s an opportunity to come together. Apart from sports, there are no other opportunities ».
More than half of the newspaper the Team, including advertisements, is devoted to the World Cup. But the team refuses to sell the bear’s skin before having killed it. And it starts this Friday evening with the match against New Zealand. Daily life reminds us that “ the All Blacks have never lost a group match ».
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