Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Ten years after its last Tournament of the six victorious nations, the XV of France is in Wales to hope after England and Italy a third success, in Cardiff, where it has not won since ... 2010.
The "hell" of the Millennium is promised to them. In the intimidating enclosure in the heart of Cardiff, the Blues of the playmaster Antoine Dupont and the coach Fabien Galthié seek on Saturday to establish their first place in this Tournament. The objective is, also, to drive out the demons of the quarterfinal of the lost World Cup, in Japan in October, against these same Welshmen (20-19).
There were great promises against the vice-champions of the English world (24-17), then the mixed performance against weak Italians (35-22). Will Act III be that of takeoff towards this celestial body inaccessible for a decade that is the Grand Slam, or that of returning to earth?
Scored four times in a row in Cardiff, the Blues (1st, 9 pts) remain in all on eight defeats in nine matches against the XV of Leek. After their defeat in Ireland (24-14), Wales (3rd, 5 pts) will want to be reassured at home and will be a real revealer for the French team.
- In search of lost respect -
Ask the Italians, who took 42-0 at the opening of the Tournament, the Welsh know how to receive. And this time, it was the pillar Wyn Jones who took care of the invitations: the French have "a big pack but probably not very disciplined, especially in melee. We know they will strike, chase and cheat" .
"It's a rude and puerile attack from another age," replied Blues manager Raphaël Ibanez. "A lack of respect vis-à-vis French rugby but also of our nation", adds Fabien Galthié.
"We want to be respected" and "showing who we are is the major issue", continues Galthié. With in mind the last verbal contest, which had not smiled at its instigator, the England manager Eddie Jones, promising "violence" and "brutality" to the French before breaking his teeth at the Stade de France.
In the field, Galthié trusts his now typical team. The only change is that the explosive center Virimi Vakatawa returns, recovered from a triceps injury, pushing Gaël Fickou to the wing - in the absence of Damian Penaud (calf), and Vincent Rattez, long-term injured (fibula) ).
The spine under construction remains unchanged: Anthony Bouthier at the back, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack at the hinge, Gregory Alldritt in N.8 and Julien Marchand on the hook.
- New cycle, end of cycle? -
Of the fifteen holders on Saturday, only three (Fickou, Bernard Le Roux, Vakatawa and four with Camille Chat, substitute) have already set foot in this Millennium which has made many Blues pale lately.
Galthié, who did without another player who experienced this fiery atmosphere with the pillar Jefferson Poirot, has on the other hand a significant ally this year: the defense coach, the Englishman Shaun Edwards, who knows perfectly the Welshman for having been the architect of their defensive foundations for twelve years.
Still, on the ground, a ditch will separate the two teams. The Welsh will present a record XV to 859 caps, against only 234 for France. "Hommes contre garcons" writes, in French in the text, the Telegraph.
From experience or youth, who will win? The Blues believe in their passion (24.9 years against 28.5 years of average age) to initiate a new cycle. And complete the one initiated twelve years ago by Welsh titles four times since in the Tournament (2008, 2012, 2013, 2019).
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