Paris (AFP)

Despite a positive balance sheet and a place as leader of the Six Nations Tournament, the XV of France finished its first two games against England (24-17) and Italy (35-22) with as many questions as of certainties.

"If we look coldly at the situation, this is a very good start to the Tournament. Two matches, two victories, 9 points and a provisional first place. All that must give confidence, while being aware of the margin of progress, before to go to Wales ", summarized the general manager Raphaël Ibanez.

. Dupont la joie, Alldritt comprehensive insurance

The Blues were looking for leaders. They found it: in addition to Captain Charles Ollivon, who donned the costume without blinking, the half-fray Antoine Dupont and the third line Grégory Alldritt stand out. Without forgetting Gaël Fickou, the leader of the rear lines.

In two matches, Dupont spread his entire class. He first made the English dizzy before posing a permanent danger against the Italians. Two XXL services which make him, at barely 23, already indispensable.

Alldritt also shone. He was named man of the match twice. Thanks to his commitment (31 balls carried, 177 meters won, 30 tackles) as much as for his offensive contribution with a test on Sunday ... on a Dupont service.

. On alternating current

Good and less good. Facing Italy, as against England, the Blues have made a half-fig, half-grape copy. First impressive before lifting off.

In front of the vice-world champions, the XV of France escaped thanks to a heroic defense after leading 17-0 at the break. Against the Azzurri (23-10 at halftime), they displayed less ferocity and ended up taking three tries against a team that has not won in the Tournament since 2015. "We are players but he you have to be constant for 80 minutes, "admitted opener Matthieu Jalibert.

. Conquest in reconquest

In difficulty on the 1st day, the touch and the fray remain in the works after the match on Sunday. Fabien Galthié had however promised it: "We want a strong conquest".

Faced with Italian players, the blue button faltered, with in particular three balls lost consecutively, transforming as much French ammunition into Italian occasions. And if the melee was less shaky than against England, it did not really reassure either.

Worse, in defense, the XV of France missed 27 tackles against Italy, almost twice more than against England (14).

. The young bet

It was Fabien Galthié's big bet when he arrived. From the outset, he launched neophytes, such as Montpellier's Haouas Mohamed Anthony and Bouthier, or the almost beginner Rochelais Vincent Rattez. With success.

Facing Italy, the Arthur Vincent center was offered a first tenure. It was illustrated by two entry tackles. It is also by his defensive qualities that the former captain of the U20 world champions shone, with sixteen tackles for a single failure, the best record of the three-quarter line. With a little more speed, he could even have celebrated his first tenure in Blue by a test, finally entered by Teddy Thomas (7th).

. Expected returns

Camille Chat and Damian Penaud did not participate in the party. Holders announced, the hooker and the winger finally missed the first two matches of the Tournament.

Cat, touched in a calf, could be delivered in time for the trip to Cardiff on February 22. But, after having evolved in the shadow of Guilhem Guirado, he will have to roar to dismiss Julien Marchand, rather convincing in Blue. Titular against the English, absent against the Italians, the Virimi Vakatawa center is injured in his triceps and should be back soon.

Damian Penaud is still uncertain. A lesion in the left calf, during the captain's training before England, had put him on his side for "fifteen days". It will probably be a bit fair to face the Welsh.

© 2020 AFP