Paris (AFP)

The XV of France female, for its first match of the year, walked against Wales (53-0) on Saturday night in Vannes (Morbihan), during the first day of the Six Nations Tournament.

After this success eight tries to zero against the last of the 2020 edition, the Blue take the lead of their group and will play a decisive match on April 17 in Ireland for access to the final.

The Tournament, which had been postponed due to the health context, takes place in a new and condensed format this year with three matches for each team instead of five.

In the cool of the Rabine stadium, the "Affamées" - the French nickname - made short work of the Welsh women, putting intense pressure on them in the duels and thanks to sharp counter-attacks.

After a quarter of an hour, the Bleues were already leading 21-0 thanks to a hat-trick from winger Caroline Boujard and the boot from scrum-half Pauline Bourdon (13 points).

After 35 minutes of play, the offensive bonus was acquired thanks to a fourth try built by the pack of forwards and concluded by the hooker Agathe Sochat.

Only downside in the first period: the exit on injury of winger Marine Ménager, hit in the right ankle.

The coach Annick Hayraud had to do without several players, including the twin sister of Marine Ménager, the third row Romane Ménager, who favored the French team at seven and played Saturday a Tournament in Dubai.

But the absences were not too felt.

Hayraud was even able to launch neophyte full-back Emilie Boulard (21), who also offered her first international try, in place of Jessy Trémouliere, voted best player of the decade in December.

Trémouliere nevertheless returned after Marine Ménager's injury.

In the second half the Bleues added four tries, including a double from the N.8 Emeline Gros.

The Welsh, who still have an amateur status, had not already weighed heavily against the French, semi-professional, last year in Cardiff (50-0).

While, on the men's side, Alun Wyn Jones and his teammates won the Tournament, their female counterparts will try to avoid a new wooden spoon.

The duel with Ireland, in two weeks, promises to be less easy for the French but is not insurmountable.

It will be necessary to win to afford a "crunch" on April 24 in the final.

The English, who crushed Scotland (52-10), are aiming for a third title in a row after the Grand Slams of 2019 and 2020.

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