Saint-Denis (AFP)
Omnipresent, symbols of dedication and a team of France with the spirit of victory found, the two helmeted Blues Bernard Le Roux and Gregory Alldritt imposed French law on England Sunday at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament.
In the wake of their new captain Charles Ollivon, who scored twice against the English to enter their Tournament perfectly (24-17), the second line of Racing 92 and the third line of La Rochelle shone on Sunday. Sparkled, even.
Red helmet for Le Roux in second line, yellow helmet for Alldritt in third, the two fellows respected to the letter the instructions of aggression and "rush defense", these rapids mounted towards the opponent, decreed by the new coach of defense Shaun Edwards, 53 years old Englishman in the service of the Blues.
To lead this defensive strategy in a relatively young team (25 years on average) and inexperienced (barely 14 selections), it was necessary taulers, and the new coach Fabien Galthié knew how to put them in confidence.
In this role, Le Roux, the oldest of the Blues, responded more than present: always with his head helmeted in duels, hardly raised, he plunged back into combat ... Alldritt younger, he at 22 years old already has everything 'an experienced elder, extra passion.
- Serial tackers -
After making the powder talk by Rattez (6th) and Ollivon (20th, 55th), the French defended against constant English pressure (61% possession and 70% control of the territory) and rather well.
With the good management of Dupont in N.9 at the fray, if the Blues held it is mainly thanks to their serial tacklers: 22 for Le Roux (including only 2 missed) and 17 for Alldritt (none missed), without forgetting the 19 of the neo-captain of the defense, Gaël Fickou, another experienced figure of this team after this 52nd selection (the most capped of the 23 Blues).
When the English came in the last French meters, they found on the way the bust Le Roux (26th) or Alldritt, which allowed in the additional time of the first period (40th + 3) to return to the locker rooms the clean line and the wide score (17-0).
Proof of Alldritt's involvement: the Rochelais, who finished with a bloody face, was named man of the match in front of the nearly 80,000 spectators at the Stade de France.
Long preserved, the French line finally cracked in the second half against the English assaults. But, on the two tests of Jonny May, Le Roux and Alldritt could not do much: the action, on the right wing, is far from their playing area, up close, in the heart of the game, where everything happened against the vice world champions.
- "Monstrous" -
After the match, all the Blues were unanimous: "our defense was enormous", according to Romain Ntamack, "it is the defense that made us win", adds François Cros while Galthié applauded "solidarity" and a team that "managed to overthrow this showdown".
"We were very disciplined, we put a lot of attacking tackles, that was the goal. There is Shaun Edwards who helps us a lot on this. The work with him paid off," explained winger Vincent Rattez. , Rochelais teammate of Alldritt.
Defense captain, Gaël Fickou savored the performance of the whole team and of Alldritt in particular: "Greg made a monstrous match, in combat, aggression and he still confirms this leadership role in this team" .
For the good of this group of friends, as described by Captain Ollivon, for the happiness of supporters who start dreaming of rugby again, the peacekeepers will have to apply their law far beyond their borders.
© 2020 AFP