537 days before the start of their World Cup (September 8-October 28), the Blues struck a blow by winning the Grand Slam, their first since 2010. They will also move up to second place in the world rankings, just behind world champions South Africa.

Being the kings of Europe a year and a half before a World Cup transforms Antoine Dupont's teammates into the inevitable favorites of the premier competition in world rugby.

Even if the captain denies it.

"Obviously, we all have it in mind, this World Cup: we talk about it enough around us, we talk about it enough between us. There, we are already going to take advantage of this victory, of this Grand Slam, of the end of the competition all together. We will project ourselves later", tempered the superstar scrum-half just after the meeting.

French rugby pushes behind the Blues

Five victories, 17 tries, 141 points scored... The XV of France has reconnected with its glorious past but above all it has found its fans, capable of transforming the Stade de France, which can sometimes be quite austere, into a boiling cauldron.

Because these Blues of 2022 have beautiful and powerful weapons to put forward: a golden generation, carried by the best player in the world Antoine Dupont and his Toulouse associates accustomed to titles (Romain Ntamack, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Anthony Jelonch... );

a rich and competent staff who know where they are going;

successful bets ("the UFO" Melvyn Jaminet, the tireless winger Gabin Villière, Cameron Woki in the second row...) as well as an almost infallible discipline (47 penalties conceded over the whole of the competition).

XV France scrum half Antoine Dupont at the introduction against England in Saint-Denis, March 19, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

This French team exudes a feeling of omnipotence.

Better, she has so far been able to overcome the difficulties, whether it is the Covid-19 (Fabien Galthié, Damian Penaud, Romain Taofifenua...), injuries (Teddy Thomas, Charles Ollivon, Gabin Villière...) or misforms (Virimi Vakatawa, Brice Dulin...).

"The big difference between this French team and that of two or three years ago is its great tactical discipline. They are developing very disciplined rugby, they play to their strengths, especially a long kicking game. They are also strong defensively and they are able to use their individual qualities very well," said England coach Eddie Jones.

Disciplined

"Two or three years ago, they would not have been able to stick to their game plan with the same discipline," added the Australian technician from XV de la Rose.

In short, the Blues, second in 2020 then in 2021, seem to have learned from their mistakes.

"When you win, it means that you make the right choices, that you work well, that you have good players, that you build the right team, that you give the right direction", confided Galthié for his part.

"We have exceeded 75% of victories in all competitions. On Monday, we will be world No.2. That means we are on the right path, with a team that is still young and will still grow and improve. Today, we were around 26 years old and 24 selections on average. There is no reason for the team not to continue to progress. This experience, playing this match with this tension which all of a sudden jumped on it... We had approached this match with as much detachment as possible. We have to live these final matches to continue to grow and acquire common experience. This is our 25th match, the final will be the 46th. is quite clear in our heads", assured the French coach.

The XV of France of Damian Penaud and Cameron Woki against England in Six Nations in Saint-Denis, March 19, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

French rugby is just waiting for that.

© 2022 AFP