It must have been a party. It was a nice plantade. For the last match of a Six Nations Tournament that went poorly with home defeats against Ireland (31-37 in Aix) and Italy (20-23 in Béziers), the French under-20 team years hoped for a final surge against his best enemy. In addition, for the first time in the competition, Sébastien Calvet could count on the best players of the 2004 generation, until then requisitioned by their clubs.
No duplicates this weekend. Gazzotti, Reus, Attissogbe and company could finally put on the Bleuets jersey that they had worn brilliantly during the World Cup won last summer. Even Posolo Tuilagi, released by the big players of the French fifteen, was invited at the last minute.
The 149 kilos of the Catalan titan really stirred up the English. His little comrades seemed to want to follow in his wake with brilliant actions which allowed the French to take the lead at the break (21-12). But everything ended up falling apart. The fault lies in crazy indiscipline (16 penalties conceded), guilty handballs (20 forwards), a form of overplay at times.
“It’s a bit of a nightmare tournament”
Sébastien Calvet, Bleuets coach
Two tries conceded on assassinating counterattacks, three after clinical mauls, and two others following a play in the clever axis, the bill is very steep. How could this formation, which fielded what very much resembles a typical team, have lost its footing in this way? “We were too feverish this evening,” regretted the coach. The collective was not always well established. It’s a bit of a nightmare tournament. »
The 2004 stamped spine only arrived very recently. This group only spent four days together. And even the experience of matches played professionally by all these young people does not replace common experience. A good lesson for the months to come, and in particular this World Cup in South Africa (June 29-July 19) – after a one-week preparation camp at the end of April-beginning of May – where the Bleuets will try to defend their title .
