the favorites and the favorites of our special correspondents

After the close success of the Blues during the Crunch (33-31), Saturday evening at the end of the Six Nations Tournament, find out what caught the attention of our two rugby specialists present in Lyon.

FAVORITES

Ramos, serial scorer

And 18 more points on the clock. Which makes 63 in total (12.6 on average per match) in this Tournament that Thomas Ramos finishes best director like last year. In this 2024 edition, the Toulouse scorer is ahead of the Scotsman Finn Russell (55 pts) and the Englishman George Ford (48 pts). Saturday evening, in Lyon, his success (4 penalties out of 5, 3 conversions) once again came close to 90%. Essential when it comes to winning such close encounters. The proof with his decisive and distant penalty (50 meters facing the posts) one minute from the final whistle which gave the Blues victory. A responsibility that the rear replaced at the opening of the XV of France was keen to exercise. “Maxime Lucu was as keen as him to hit her. Both were hot, but Thomas Ramos kept his hand. Well done to him”paid tribute to Fabien Galthié at the end of the meeting.

The Rose has found some spice

Since the stormy end of Eddie Jones’ tenure, England have been searching for their former glory. For many months, she sailed by sight, relying on a restrictive game, without taste or smell. The XV de la Rose managed to secure third place in the last World Cup, a small miracle as Steve Borthwick’s players seemed to be missing their crampons. The start of this 2024 Tournament was very sluggish. Before the beast awakens. First there was this success, all in brutality, against the Irish. Before confirming against the Blues by offering an alert, dynamic game and missing a first success in France in 2016. “We continue to progress, it takes time, with experienced players and others who only have a handful of caps. We inevitably make mistakes, but we learn from them,” greeted the coach, who managed to wake up England, this sleeping beauty.

The atmosphere of great evenings

Relocation is good when the Blues find themselves in a cathedral in total communion. Even before kick-off, the Lyon public were already making their voices heard in this impressive Groupama Stadium with its vertical stands. La Marseillaise matched the fervor of the 60,000 spectators, determined to be actors in this Crunch. The encouragement never stopped, even at the height of the storm. The public who came to Décines, in the Lyon suburbs, even launched some clapping as resounding as they were invigorating. By performing one last, during the lap of honor, to greet the heroes dressed in blue, delighted to take part in this scenography to thank them for their unfailing support.

CLAW STRIKES

A big air hole that could have been fatal

Not long ago, lacking confidence, the XV of France would surely not have recovered. A 21-0 that hurts your head and paralyzes your legs. While they were racing in the lead in the first period, Grégory Alldritt and his teammates first conceded a try from Ollie Lawrence just before the break (40th+1), reducing their lead (16-10). Before experiencing a much bigger air gap after returning from the locker room, conceding two new tries, by Ollie Lawrence again (42nd) then another, almost immediately, by Marcus Smith (46th). And the Blues found themselves leading 16-24. Everything had to be done again… A shiver of fear then ran through the Groupama Stadium. The Blues then embarked on a crazy comeback. And, where they had failed against the Springboks, in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, they were able to find the strength to reverse this poorly started situation. “At that moment, the building was really shaking,” admitted Fabien Galthié. You had to be really strong to do what the team did.” But she could have – without culpable defensive laxity – avoided such torments.

Also read: Fabien Galthié: “We had a hell of a tournament”

The fault of too many English people

Double. When the French were sanctioned five times by the Australian referee, Angus Gardner, the English were sanctioned ten times. Average by international standards. Except that these fates offered precious opportunities to the French striker, Thomas Ramos. Five penalties attempted, four successful for 12 points which made the difference at the final whistle. A minute from this, by once again making a mistake, the forwards of the XV de la Rose allowed the Toulouse player to become the hero of the Crunch with his precise 50-meter kick. Conversely, George Ford, although also precise (5/5 Saturday evening), only had one penalty to take.

Depoortère is slow to please

He was desperately needed to replace a tired Jonathan Danty, a shadow of himself during the first two and a half matches of this Tournament. And a half because the La Rochelle center was sent off just before the break against Italy. His suspension for the rest of the competition finally offered Nicolas Depoortère the opportunity to be launched into the deep end. After a mixed opening against the Welsh, with costly defensive errors, the young UBB center was expected to bounce back. In vain. The captain of the U20 world champions was disappointing again. A missed tackle on Ben Earls resulting in Marcus Smith’s try. A head start on a testing opportunity. Little progress with the ball in hand when his teammates in the back line were dizzy with space. To his credit? His pass on a step towards Gaël Fickou, creating the gap on Le Garrec’s try. That’s not much given his stunning performances in the Bordeaux-Bègles jersey. The only neophyte launched during this Tournament who did not convince. The Palois Émilien Gailleton or the Toulouse Pierre-Louis Barassi could well take advantage of this to grill his politeness…