Against Ireland in Marseille, the XV of France begins its reconquest
2024-02-02 07:15:00
The last time the XV of France set down at the Vélodrome stadium, on September 21, the Marseille public experienced a very strange evening. Because if Fabien Galthié’s men had stuck a gigantic pie on very frail Namibians (96-0) and punched their ticket for good for the final phase of their World Cup, this evening had above all led to the injury of the captain, of the superstar, of the best player in the world: Antoine Dupont, victim of a maxillo-zygomatic fracture (of the cheekbones).
And, as we feared then, there was a France-Namibia before and after. Following, the Blues lost track of their rugby and ended up leaving the competition through the back door, in the quarter-final, after a defeat against South Africa (28-29), future world champion. A very small point difference which sealed the fate of a French team which seemed destined to lift the Webb-Ellis. Cruel.
Duel of the Flayed
Except that the history of the XV of France, if it came to a halt, did not stop on the evening of this elimination. And a little less than four months after this trauma, the Blues will (finally) put on their crampons again. The opportunity to exorcise this disastrous day? In any case, this evening at the Vélodrome, France knows that it will open a new chapter.
Therefore, what better opportunity than to do it against Ireland, the other flayed from the last World Cup (huge favorite, the XV of Clover also came out in the quarter), and which acts as a scarecrow during this Tournament of the six nations 2024? “To say it’s already a final or a title match is too early. It’s “just” a really important match,” smiled Grégory Alldritt, the new captain of the XV of France, on Friday. Except that if he tried to put the stakes of this confrontation against the men in green into perspective, the third row is obviously aware that a victory would allow us to get off on the right foot, as we begin Fabien Galthié’s second term. who must lead the French XV to the 2027 World Cup.
Without Dupont (France VII), Jelonch, Ntamack or even Flament (injuries), but with new faces (Tuilagi, Le Garrec), revengers (Gabrillagues, Fickou, Willemse) and indisputable players from the Galthié era (17 of the 23 players (1) were in the group during the quarter-final of the World Cup), the French XV in any case has the deep conviction that the time has come to raise its head. Yes, it was painful. And yes, the dream of a lifetime has passed through their fingers. But four months after the slap received against South Africa, this 2024 Six Nations Tournament appears to be the perfect opportunity to relaunch a dynamic, to relearn how to win and to win back the hearts of a French public who have never let go of the Blues. Gentlemen, the day to believe (again) has arrived!
1. Willemse, Gabrillagues, Marchand, Tuilagi, Boudehent and Le Garrec are the six players lined up this evening who did not participate in the quarter against the Springboks.
R. Taofifenua forfait, Tuilagi sur le banc
Coming out of his international retirement to continue supporting the French XV, Romain Taofifenua (33 years old, 49 caps) finally had to withdraw. Sick, the giant of Lou is the third second row to give up this reception from Ireland (after Meafou and Flament). Grand Tao therefore gave up his place on the bench to Posolo Tuilagi. The strong 19-year-old Catalan (1.92m, 145kg) – eagerly awaited on the international scene – will thus experience his first cape.
The number: 12
A new opener on the Irish side
Since November 2000, and the first appearance of the XV of France at the Vélodrome, the Tricolores have made the Marseille den their second garden. Indeed, since then, the XV of France has played fourteen times at the Stade Vélodrome, for a clear record: twelve victories, two defeats (Argentina 2004, New Zealand 2009).
Jack Crowley.
Orphaned by Jonathan Sexton (since the Leinster legend announced his retirement at the end of the 2023 World Cup), Ireland has placed all its hopes in Jack Crowley, the Munster fly-half at 24 (and 9 caps), the kid from the south of Ireland offers a much more playful profile than its predecessor. Capable of attacking the line, very comfortable playing on the foot behind the defense (he had made RCT live hell in mid-January, offering three assists on the foot) but also a big defender, Crowley seems have all the qualities to emerge from the shadow of his brilliant predecessor. Now, will he have the shoulders to take on this role of heir? First elements of response this evening.