the French team ends with a victory against Wales

The XV of France did the job against the Welsh. In front of his audience at the Stade de France, Fabien Galthié’s troupe won against the XV du Poireau (41-28) and ended this 2023 edition of the Six Nations Tournament in style. The Blues could even win the competition for the second time in a row if Ireland lose to the English at the start of the evening.

THE #XVdeFrance ends this Tournament with a bonus victory!

#FRAPDG#XVdeFrance#Don’tDoXVpic.twitter.com/eKyCFiVkZ6

– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 18, 2023

A week after a historic downfall at Twickenham (53-10), the XV of the Rose owes a flower to the Blues. But, to continue dreaming six months from the World Cup at home (September 8-October 28), Antoine Dupont’s teammates have fulfilled their part of the contract by passing five tries to the Welsh. Damian Penaud (10th, 76th), Jonathan Danty (34th), Uini Atonio (44th) and Gaël Fickou (49th) thus allowed France to afford this bonus point which could make the difference.

Ramos in history…

the back Thomas Ramos is also reported by becoming the best French director of the Six Nations Tournament in a single edition with 84 points, including sixteen against the Leek XV. He did better than the former Clermontois Gérald Merceron, author of 80 points during the Grand Slam of 2002. But all that will however be secondary if Ireland continues its inexorable march towards the fourth Grand Slam in its history.

They can now settle down in front of their television screen to watch Ireland-England with the feeling of accomplishment, and think back to their successful performance. Starting with reacting perfectly to Welsh pressure and the quick try from George North (8th). A few months before the World Cup at home, the Tricolores have thus proven that they have the chest and the ability to rebound. They had demonstrated it by beating Scotland (32-21) in style after a complicated start in Italy (29-24) and a heavy defeat in Ireland (32-19).

…Sheepish too

They turned into a steamroller to crush a Welsh team still sick but who knew how to be as catchy as they were surprising at the Stade de France. Little by little, the Blues integrated their success, relying first on their backs, first and foremost the relentless winger Damian Penaud, who scored his 25th and 26th international tries and thus joined Philippe Bernat-Salles and Émile Ntamack ranked fifth among French scorers.

They then let their forwards speak, Uini Atonio in the lead, author of his first try with the Blues for his fiftieth selection. With the match well under control and the ball in hand, carried by a gala François Cros (18 tackles), they only had to manage to get the decisive offensive bonus point. And even the traditional French air hole, sanctioned by two other tries from Bradley Roberts (56th) and Tomos Williams (65th), did not seem able to thwart the French plans. The blue machine is well oiled and thus ends the Tournament in style, well incorporated towards its World Cup.