Oita (Japan) (AFP)

Three actors, three roles opposed ... Maxime Médard by his game on the foot and Virimi Vakatawa by his races have long held the XV of France at arm's length in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

But Sebastien Vahaamahina's (49th) nudge, synonymous with exclusion, ruined the hopes of the Blues, beaten (20-19) by Wales, Sunday in Oita.

Maxime Médard: he weighed all his experience on the match. By his placement, his long run (33rd), and especially his long-footed game that has long left the Welsh in their midfield to maintain hope. Up to six minutes from the end.

Damian Penaud: his mere presence seemed to pose a threat to the Welsh. He tried to multiply in attack as in defense. He notably seized on the flight a referral from Ntamack (24th), and made a pass after high-class contact on the test of Vakatawa (31st). Only flats: two in-front, on a dismissal, then on a closed side initiated by Lopez and continued by Vakatawa (59th).

Virimi Vakatawa: perhaps the best player on the field. First used on the outsides, he weighed permanently on the Welsh defense, scoring a try (31st). When the XV of France found himself outnumbered, he played as a first center, returning to the Welsh defense, including to get a scrum under the opposing posts (69th). Added to this is a strong production in defense.

Gaël Fickou: Mr. Own back lines. He worked hard to make his partners play, or to keep the balloons he had to keep. Very solid in defense.

Yoann Huget: not used much in attack, he did not make mistake. Especially author of a decisive defensive intervention on the colossal George North in the 22 meters French, which allowed to maintain hope (65th).

Romain Ntamack: during the forty minutes spent on the field, he tried to vary the game and keep the Welsh in their half field. With a straight bust and a high gaze, he cut a fine gap to Penaud, paving the way for the third attempt by Vakatawa (31st). His two missed kicks (4th transformation and penalty on the 36th post) however, were expensive. Replaced after two crutches shot by Lopez (41), who missed a drop (45th).

Antoine Dupont: a match at the height of his talent. He perfectly alternated the different forms of play and weighed on the Welsh defense. His influence on the XV of France is real. It will be one of the pillars of the France-2023 project. Replaced by Serin (73rd).

Charles Ollivon: first aerial, with a test full of class, registered relay Ntamack and Dupont (8th). The exclusion of Vahaamahina forced him to engage much in close combat in the second half. Not to mention his role as jumper touch and tackle in the open sea ... He ticked all the boxes!

Grégory Alldritt: A little less prominent than usual. Author of a forward on the kickoff, then quickly hit the cheekbone, he struggled to advance in the Welsh defense.

Wenceslas Lauret: He multiplied in defense all around the field, to tackle (31 times!) But also slow the balloons in the open scrums. He also found himself in the fight with Biggar on a counter initiated by Medard (33). A full match ...

Sébastien Vahaamahina: his good start to the match (first try 5th, breakthrough on the second try scored by Ollivon 8th), is obviously tarnished by his red card ... The capture of an opponent by the neck, followed by a coup de elbow: double fault on the same action. The cameras are infallible. His exclusion certainly cost the match and the World Cup in the XV of France.

Bernard Le Roux: author of a huge match. Much sought after in touch, he was also very present in close combat where his physical presence was very useful. Replaced by Louis Picamoles (66th).

Rabah Slimani: a little embarrassed by his direct opponent Wyn Jones in closed scrum, he focused on the fight closely where he was precious, especially in numerical inferiority.

Guilhem Guirado: at the forefront of the fight, he was very early in the game. At the point of losing the ball to the touch on the first Welsh try scored by Aaron Wainwright (12th). As captain, he spoke a lot of his partners, but author of a questionable choice (penalty not succeeded by Ntamack, 36th) while the numerical superiority favorable to the XV of France (yellow card of Ross Moriarty) "asked" perhaps to try the penaltouche. Replaced by Camille Chat (50th).

Jefferson Poirot: it was a match for him; few scrums, many races and open scrums. Author of a full match, especially in defense (32 veneers, and multiple scratches) at the height of the Welsh domination.

Substitute: The exclusion of Vahaamahina forced the XV of France to review his initial coaching plans. The red card has notably precipitated the entry into play of Paul Gabrillagues (55th), and that of Picamoles (66th) in the second row, while his presence would have been valuable in N.8 to control the outputs of scrums, in the camp Welsh (69th), or the victorious Welsh test (74th).

© 2019 AFP