Favorites and favorites of our special correspondents

in Marseille

favorite

Irish washerwoman

Everyone digests their disillusionment as best they can. Like the Blues, the Irish were knocked out by the All Blacks in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup. But they quickly turned the page and went ahead again, signing at the Stade Velodrome, their biggest ever victory against a France XV. Power, rhythm, efficiency, the green machine has completely fired Mathieu Jalibert and his teammates. In the end, this 21 point difference brutally reflects the level difference between the two teams. Cool and methodical, Ireland is sure of its strength. Quite the opposite of France who have rocked their rugby. “We managed to calm the supporters down by staying focused throughout the matchCongratulations to coach Andy Farrell. Sometimes, when you play fifteen against fourteen, you relax but not there. Already, last year, the Tricolas had violently beaten the Irish at the Aviva Stadium (32-19). This time, the route is more serious and Fabian Galthi has to manage his second injury in a row. The coach made a bet “Intensity fight instead of running intensity” For this shock on top. In the end, the Irish didn’t choose one or the other, they managed to shine in both aspects of the game. “We knew how to be ruthless”Tastes like Andy Farrell.

Gabriellegs, pay back but not win

This Friday, Paul Gabriellegs scored his second try in a French jersey in Marseille. Six years after scoring the first goal against Italy at the Velodrome. A funnier symbol for this than the emblematic player of the Stade Francais Paris. Asked about this amusing little detail, the second line, which was not out of place in the fight, blurted out: “I’d rather win…” For his return to blue, the man who has not been called up since the 2019 World Cup in Japan responded to the expectations placed on him: namely fight, fight and fight. For the rest of the tournament, starting next Saturday at Murrayfield, the big question will be the composition of the French XV’s second line. With Paul Willemse suspended, Romain Taofifenua injured, the staff should re-launch Cameron Walkie, with a more aerial profile, youngster Posolo Tuilagi still a little green to launch straight into the Edinburgh cauldron. Despite this terrible setback, Gabriellegs scored points.

Beirne-McCarthy, strong team

Old and new, like thieves at a fair. Faced with a French second line in complete disintegration – two dismissals in 30 minutes for Willemse, a lack of percussion for Gabriels – Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy shone. First stood out with his try, launching a full iron into the gaping gap by his scrum half; Elected as second man of the match. Awarded for his activity in the air and at ground level. Moreover, the two big forwards stepped forward, each gaining 32 meters (no envy…), disrupting the French line-up into touch, putting pressure on Lukou (a blocked kick) and beating a few defenders for good measure. A move that allows you to travel far.

Also readFrance-Ireland: Defenseless Blues, Willems’ Red… Video summary

Claw strikes

Without DuPont, there is no fun

Attempting to smoke was, at best, cause for a smile. Life without DuPont? On the eve of the clash against Ireland, assistant coach in charge of the French forwards, William Sarwat, anecdotally tried to convince. “Maxim (Luku) wears the tall jersey and there is an emergence of young scrum-halves. Nolan (Le Garec) proves to us every day that he will be a great player. We realized the pool was deeper than we thought. And then the strength of the collective will always prevail over the individual. Political correctness, bladder for lanterns, Coué method, discard unnecessary. As their former captain prepares to play in this Saturday’s opener with Toulouse in the Top 14, his teammates weigh the absence. The main threat went to free the Irish. A replacement whose kicking game has neither the same length nor the same accuracy. And neither the same vision, nor the same pressure to make a difference. Maxime Lukou doesn’t need to be overwhelmed. We knew he didn’t have the protein genius of DuPont. We are just waiting for all those who appreciated the selection of the best player in the world in the XV to change direction and rejoice at 7 o’clock. A defection that hampered Fabian Galthy’s chances of success. But, between displaced bookstores, rising transportation costs and canceled festivals, it seems the Olympic Games are worth all the sacrifices. France’s XV is likely to extend that early spring…

Paul Willemse, yellow hazard

Two yellows in a ground of pestis. Paul Willemse, who was returning to the French team after missing the last World Cup due to a tear, received two cards against Ireland, which logically led to his dismissal and the collapse of his team. From the 9th minute of the game, he made his first mistake with a clearance in the face of pillar Andrew Porter. Earlier, on the half-hour mark, he was guilty of a dangerous shoulder-to-head charge on third-row Kelan Dorris. With 15 against 15, would the Blues have done better? Nothing is less certain. Montpellier’s second row, already excluded during the success against Wales (32-30) in the 2021 tournament, sadly enters the history of France’s XV as the second player to receive two red cards, after his former teammate, Prop Mohamed. Hausas. In the heat of the moment, no one wanted to drown him. Fabian Galthy refused to talk about professional misconduct at this level: “I cannot say that a player who is committed to defending the line, this is a technical foul and we know that contact with the head is punished very severely.” The third line Paul Boudehent says is his partners “Everybody came to him in the locker room to console him. Unity is the key word. Who here hasn’t made a mistake in their career? It happens, it’s part of life, our career. We will continue to move forward. We stand united.” And to continue: “When one of your children has a less-than-good stroke, do you put him aside?” At least for the match against Scotland.

The blues stay on the sidelines

Karim Ghazal, who has been in charge of the sidelines for the past four years, left to use his talents as an air technician at Stade Francais. And we can’t say that his successor, Laurent Semper, who took the opposite route, warranted his big premier. Four misplaced throws (out of 18) and a notable lack of organization among those caught. No clean projection of the game, confusion in the mauls, and the indolence of seeing Ireland gorge themselves on the ball in touch. By choosing to refuse to contest opposing shots, the Blues hastened their downfall. This sector was the main launching pad for the Irish invasion. Often out wide, move towards midfield for first impact. But only. Like the last two penalties of the match: ball carry and try from Hooker, Sheenan then Kelleher. Demonstration of expertise.