Come on, this time it was about really moving forward, escaping from this zone of storm in the heads and major swell in the hearts. Yes, regain courage and confidence after the disaster against Ireland (18-37) and the last-minute rescue against Scotland (20-16). And what could be better in these circumstances, for the French XV, than a third match of the Six Nations Tournament against Italy?
This has only happened three times since the Transalpins joined the competition in 2000, and the Blues have always won comfortably: 30-19 in 2001, 37-12 in 2006 and 34-17 in 2018. For this new meeting at the middle of the event this Sunday, February 25 in Lille, Fabien Galthié’s troop intended to finally demonstrate that it had found its bearings and its enthusiasm of yesterday, before the failure in the quarter-final of the Cup of the world. Perhaps not the big celebration of 60-7 with eight tries inflicted on these same Italians during this same World Cup, but at least a spectacle of beautiful movements carried forward.
A vain domination
“We need a benchmark match in the offensive sector, we need to free ourselves”summarized fullback Thomas Ramos during the week of preparation. “Be more efficient in our ability to threaten defenses, to play high, to win our duels, to play moving forward”, framed Patrick Arlettaz, the coach of the Blues attack. Whose act?
Between intentions and implementation, however, there is a gap visibly too wide for this French team which narrowly avoided Lille’s defeat against the Italians, and almost miraculously escaped with a very sad draw 13- 13. How did the Blues get there? A quick, slightly messy try from Charles Ollivon in the seventh minute had nevertheless launched the blue machine on the right track. Except that the desire to do well hid a feverishness quickly revealed, the machine almost systematically derailing after offensive sequences without fluidity.
The Italians in the affair did not offer much, and fortunately. The Blues got lost all alone, certainly conquerors in the melee, but then incapable of carrying the danger, of finding the connections to destabilize the opposing defense. Their domination remained completely in vain, a few blunders and bad inspirations ending up throwing all the blue chances into the wall. A few minutes before the break, this inefficiency was coupled with a nasty twist of fate with the exit of Matthieu Jalibert due to injury, and a nasty header from Jonathan Danty on a tackle too high, punished by a red card synonymous with expulsion for the French center.
Saved on the edge
The Blues still led 10-3, but the lead already seemed very slim for a team forced to play with 14 men. And the second half started again on the same bases, always more fragile. At the hour mark, after a penalty on both sides (13-6), the Italians finally decided to tighten up their game, to believe in their luck. And inevitably, at the end of a long, well-controlled movement, an attempt concretized their newfound courage. At 13-13, and still ten minutes to play, the Blues could feel the wind blowing, and really fear this defeat on home soil against the Italians, which never happened in the Six Nations Tournament. And in fact, with fear in their stomachs, the Blues conceded a decisive penalty in the very last seconds. But we must believe that this French team still seduces lady fortune: the kick of the Italian fly-half Paolo Garbisi crashed into the post, preventing the Blues from a total and humiliating rout.
#SixNationsRugby | ????????⚡???????? “It’s time to come together”. Fabien Galthié looks back on the draw and underlines the need to stay united in difficult times. pic.twitter.com/9x3wWjv4x2
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) February 25, 2024
It prevents. This draw reveals the limits of a French XV which is nothing more than a pale copy of itself. Until then, Fabien Galthié has claimed the need to unite with his players, convinced that nothing should be changed. “We are in a moment of resilience, it will make us stronger”, swore the coach before the match. And now ?
