Before Ireland, France favorite of the Tournament, even for the Anglo-Saxons – 20 Minutes

Most often, when an athlete has a beautiful favorite tag stuck on his forehead, his first instinct is to try to tear it off. Like Romain Ntamackbefore France – Ireland this Saturday in Saint-Denis, which could already change the fate
of the Six Nations Tournament. “The Irish deserve this status
because they are 3rd in the worldremain on nine straight wins, a super November tour and a big game against the Welsh [29-7],” argues the Blues opener.

Admittedly, while the teammates of Jonny Sexton (absent through injury against the Blues) mixed the Leek in Dublin, the Blues released a “good but not great” performance against the Italians (37-10). However, nothing helps. The men of Fabien Galthié, 5th in the last World Rugby ranking which is worth what it is worth, carry around a large sign, even more visible since the triumph over the All Blacks in November (40-25).

Take Austin Healey, the former versatile three-quarter of the XV of the Rose at the turn of the millennium. On December 31, in the columns of Telegram, he welcomed the return to grace of attacking rugby embodied by France, to which he predicted a victory in the 2022 Tournament, which would be the first for twelve years. Then, while we’re at it, a triumph at “his” 2023 World Cup.

As a good Englishman, Healey is not, however, a blissful Francophile. In March 2016, in the same newspaper, he wrote that the Blues “were so bad that it’s painful to watch”. And in February 2019, he judged them “null and their coaching catastrophic”. The mustache of Jacques Brunel, the coach at the time, still trembles with indignation.

“A great team with great potential”

Since these recent dark years, a new generation has taken power. Driven by Antoine Dupont, reigning best player in the worldand coaxed by Fabien Galthié, it seduces well beyond the “Channel”.

“It’s a great team with great potential, is enthusiastic about 20 minutes Scott Hastings, the former Scottish center of the 1980s and 1990s, now a “freelance” consultant. The structure put in place by the coaches is excellent and the Blues are capable of beating any team in the world. »

“Everyone loves this France team, adds Bernard Jackman, former Irish international hooker then coach of Grenoble (2011-2019), consultant for the public audiovisual group RTE. Since the start of the Tournament, I’ve been saying she’s going to win. She plays with a lot of pride, she is mentally strong, with a lot of X factors especially behind, like Dupont, Fickou and Jaminet. When you see that a winger like Teddy Thomas [actuellement blessé] is not in the first choices, it is a sign that the workforce is very deep. And I have complete confidence in the staff, who are very competent. »

Scott Hastingsbrother of the unforgettable Gavin, adds the names of Woki, Alldritt and Ntamack among his darlings within “a stable team which plays with confidence” and “with rhythm as well as with runners and physical players who mobilize opposing defenders.

The Shallower Irish Bench

So what do we do ? Do we stop everything now and send the Tournament trophy to the headquarters of the FFR? The Irish, who also defeated the Blacks in the fall (29-20), still appear to be the main rivals of the French and Saturday’s match will look like the final before time (sorry for the cliché).

Again, even a former Clover player gives a slight advantage to the band in Galthié. “These are the strongest teams, but let’s take the example of the front line,” says Jackman. We, with Porter-Kelleher-Furlong, we are good. But when you rotate after 60 minutes, the level drops a little and the French will have more impact. In Irelandwe only have four professional provinces [Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht], for 125 or 130 players selectable. »

Beware of Scotland?

A favorable calendar with the reception of the Irish with a little short tank then the English beaten from entry into Scotland (20-17), a trip to the Welsh reduced and crippled with osteoarthritis… The way seems clear for the irresistible French. Not so fast, replies Scott Hastings. “I think France can win the Tournament but won’t make the Grand Slam. The pressure of the VI Nations and the fact of playing away can strain the players. »

Inevitably, the former record holder of selections for the XV at Chardon (65) has an idea in mind. ” Yes Scottish beat the Welsh on Saturday, the game at Murrayfield [le 26 février] can be fun. »

Already, Bernard Jackman plays down a possible setback. “Even if France does not win this Tournament, it can look to the future with optimism, assures the Irishman, now a business leader in the technology sector and coach of Bective Rangers, a venerable amateur club in Dublin. The team will continue to improve and do some very interesting things in the next four or five years. In the fall of 2023, that wouldn’t be bad.