London (AFP)

Winning Wales its third straight game (27-23), France is the only team in the Grand Slam race after three days in the Six Nations Tournament when Ireland lost to England on Sunday (24- 12).

- France best placed -

This young team from France lived in Wales a founding act, and now has its destiny in hand (trip to Scotland on March 8 and reception from Ireland on March 14), it which has not won the Tournament since his Grand Slam in 2010.

Reinvigorated by the arrival of coach Fabien Galthié, a new staff and a talented generation, it thwarted the Wales holder of the title.

In their lair of the Millennium, the Welsh presented the most experienced team in the history of Six Nations, with 859 selections. A record that did not scare the French and their 234 caps. At 24.9 years (against 28.5 years) average age in the starting XV, the Blues take first place in the ranking alone (1st, 13 pts).

France has in its ranks the best director of the Tournament with Romain Ntamack (39 points), the best test scorer with his captain Charles Ollivon (3, tied with Welshman Josh Adams) and the best tackler with Bernard Le Roux ( 63 successful tackles).

- Leek turns sour -

Unbeaten for three years at home in the Tournament, the XV du Poireau (4th, 6 pts) lost more than a match on Saturday against the Blues. The Welsh champions said goodbye to the Six Nations for this year.

After twelve flamboyant years under the orders of Warren Gatland, with three Grand Slams (2008, 2012, 2019) and two World Cup semi-finals, the new coach Wayne Pivac starts his mandate badly: two defeats against Ireland and the France, for a victory against Italy, last.

As a handover, the Welsh will leave their 5th place in the world on Monday to the French in the ranking published by World Rugby.

- England finds itself -

And in the end, Farrell wins. In the match between Andy Farrell, coach of Ireland, and his son Owen, captain of England, the latter took the lead. Logically.

At Twickenham, the vice-world champions have finally lived up to this status, gleaned from Japan last fall. But it only lasted a period, the time to lead 17-0 against an unrecognizable Ireland, before managing this advance.

After the World Cup, the return to Europe was, for the XV de la Rose, a return to earth with the defeat at the Crunch at the Stade de France (24-17) and the small victory in Scotland (13-6) .

But this success Sunday allows England (2nd, 9 pts), to pass Ireland (3rd, 9 pts) in the standings and still be able to dream of being crowned, in the event of a false move by France.

- Scotland sends wood to Italy -

The wooden spoon should once again be Italian. For the fifth time in a row and for its twenty-first participation in the prestigious European Tournament, Italy (6th, 0 pt) should, except huge surprises, finish in last place.

On Saturday, Squadra Azzura and their new coach Franco Smith lost their third game in a row. As at the opening of the Tournament in Wales (42-0), they did not open their counter in Rome against Scotland (5th, 6 pts), losing 17-0.

If they lose in Ireland and then in Rome against England, they would finish last without a win for the fifteenth time.

© 2020 AFP