Nice (AFP)

Successful launch: the XV of France new look has begun its preparations for the World Cup in Japan (20 September-2 November), attractive and wide winner of Scotland (32-3) Saturday in Nice.

Of course, this is only a first throw, which is against a refurbished XV thorn and whose face will probably be different in a week in Edinburgh after conceding his biggest defeat against the Blues for 15 years . Confirmation is expected, as well as August 30 against Italy at the Stade de France before flying to the country of the rising sun.

But he carries promises, especially when one remembers in the state in which were the Blues five months ago, at the end of a Tournament six nations disturbing. Concluded with three defeats including two thrashing, in England (44-8) and Ireland (26-14).

Fellows at the Federation, Fabien Galthie called to the rescue, with his physical trainer Thibault Giroud to put back the XV of France and allow him to compete with the best in a month in Japan, especially in terms of intensity.

Players have repeated that the former captain of the Blues had brought his rigor, his attention to detail and more structured game system.

Word held, despite the imperfections inherent in a first game of preparation, and a slight and logical drop in physical foot in the second half.

- Raka hits input -

For the Blues have feasted the audience of the Allianz Riviera, and experienced very little waste in their game, especially in the first period, where they scored three tries to make an unacceptable gap at the break (20-3).

The first from the second minute, by Alivereti Raka: the winger of Fijian origin wasted no time to open his meter, from his first selection, after a pass by Wesley Fofana, himself served by Camille Lopez for a test stamped Clermont.

On the second try, Maxime Médard concluded in the corner a surplus played well by Lopez (22) while the third is a balloon worn concluded by Grégory Alldritt (33).

The most beautiful is certainly the fourth, marked after the rest. After a recovery ball, Lopez served on a step François Cros, author, after a breakthrough, a pass after contact for Antoine Dupont, Medard offering himself a double (54, 25-3).

The fifth is due more to the individual talent of Damian Penaud, who slalomed 30 meters in the Scottish defense before sending scorer Dupont (60, 32-3).

- attractive 3rd line -

The game appetite of the Blues, who have rarely hesitated to play handball recovery, was pleased to see.

But it is also to highlight their progress in two sectors that had been sinning during the last tournament: defense and camp exits.

If the Scots have not been frankly threatening, the XV of France has managed not to cash test, especially withstanding a major offensive in the last ten minutes.

And his camp outings were very clean, like the first one: three play time to gain some ground in his 22 meters and open the corner to Antoine Dupont, who cleared a long shot of foot.

The scrum half is in the radius of great satisfaction, full of punch to boost the game tricolor. Like Penaud, free electron who has constantly sowed disorder in the Scottish defense.

But the first satisfecit probably has to be awarded in the third line. Without common experience, the trio Cros-Alldritt-Ollivon salivated by its complementarity and technique. She kept her promises, and Charles Ollivon, ensuring the continuity of the game and putting the team in the lead.

The two reservists Charles Ollivon, for his first cape for two and a half years, and Cros, who made his international debut, have particularly scored points. It is long to see them again, like the whole of this XV of France.

© 2019 AFP