After their inaugural success against Italy (37-10), Fabien Galthié's men are - already - the last undefeated team and can continue to dream of a first Grand Slam since 2010.

The Blues (9 points) therefore take the lead in the standings alone ahead of their opponents of the day (6 pts) and Scotland (5 pts), surprise in Wales (20-17).

Italy (0 pt) and England (1 pt) meet on Sunday.

If the 2022 Tournament marks a one-week break, the road to a Grand Slam now passes for the Blues through Edinburgh, where they have won only once in their last five trips, then Cardiff on March 11.

Before returning to England at the Stade de France.

Against Ireland, which remained on nine successes in a row, including a demonstration against the All Blacks (29-20), a week before the victory of the Blues in November, and a lesson against the Welsh defending champion (29-7) last week, the French suffered.

After a generally controlled first period, they even played with fire, conceding two tries in quick succession (van der Flier 44th, Gibson-Park 49th) after the break.

But they were able to hold on without breaking to end up winning at the end of a tough match, carried by the success at the foot of their back and striker Melvyn Jaminet (20 points, at 6/7), and by a gala pack .

France also scored two tries by scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont (2nd) and prop Cyril Baille (54th).

Captain Antoine Dupont scores the first try of the XV of France against Ireland in Six Nations in Saint-Denis, February 12, 2022 Bertrand GUAY AFP

Enough to beat the Clover XV for the third consecutive time, after the victories of 2020 (35-27) and 2021 (15-13).

Like adults

A year ago, in Dublin, for their first success in Ireland in ten years, the Blues had experienced the worst difficulties in getting rid of the Greens.

They got away with it on the back of an oppressive defense and exceptional individuals.

Once again, the eye-catching Irish stayed within gunshot range, putting the French under pressure.

A great performance despite the absence of captain and metronome Johnny Sexton (36 years old, 106 caps), package.

But the Blues were able to exceed their functions: from the thunderous tackles of pocket winger Gabin Villière, to the clearance at the foot of second row Cameron Woki through the breakthrough of third row winger François Cros, determining when he went to steal at the end of the match an opposing throw in the 22 m of the Blues at the end of the match, while the Irish were pressing.

The French have shown themselves to be courageous and united, in the tradition of a gala Grégory Alldritt.

As in 2020, as in 2021, the Blues therefore launch the Six Nations Tournament with two successes.

They have each time stumbled on the fourth step, in Scotland (28-17) during the first edition of Fabien Galthié then in England (23-20) the following year, to finish in second place.

Premonitory?

To join the teammates of Thierry Dusautoir, Mathieu Bastareaud and Sébastien Chabal, the last French people to have been crowned twelve years ago, the Blues of 2022 will then have to surpass themselves again and get out of the Welsh trap, defending title holder revengeful and admirable in the fight to beat the Scots on Saturday, however given as favorites.

The try of the XV of France by Cyril Baille against Ireland for their 2nd match of the Six Nations Tournament in Saint-Denis, February 12, 2022 Bertrand GUAY AFP

Galthié, who has never lost against Ireland as a player (4 wins in 1994, 1997, 2002 and 2003), knows it: his men have taken a first step but not everything has been perfect.

It will be necessary to remove the swings of concentration, as on the first Irish try scored by Mack Hansen on a dismissal or at the start of the second period, which could have been expensive in the end.

The week of rest to come will allow the Blues to breathe a little before resuming their march forward, with the trip to Scotland on February 26.

© 2022 AFP