The XV of France narrowly fails in this 6 Nations tournament -

Thibault Camus / AP / SIPA

At the Stade de France,

We do not know if it is the coronavirus, the confinements or the speed at which this team is evolving, but it is difficult to say that the elimination of the XV of France in the quarterfinals of the World Cup dates from barely a year.

Even Gregory Alldritt could not believe it, at the microphone of France 2, after the beautiful victory against Ireland at the end of the 6 Nations Tournament: “we are very happy.

I think a year ago, we would never have imagined playing a Six Nations final.

"

He is right.

A year ago, we cried as we thought about the nudge and the international retirement of Sébastien Vahaamahina, wondering how the second line of the Blues could recover.

And above all, above all, a year ago, we were content with hard wins against second-zone teams (Tonga, United States) when the Galthié version of this team slaps Wales and the United States. Ireland in addition to having beaten England in the opening of the Tournament.

Result, a second place that Fabien Galthié qualifies rather as "first place tied" and the honorary title of best attack with 17 tries scored in five games.

Something to satisfy the breeder, not necessarily known to be the most forgiving man on the planet.

“We are satisfied because we have just followed up with a convincing victory against Ireland who had beaten us 8 times in 9 games, satisfied because we ended up tied on points with England.

We are just a little disappointed because in our time we would have won the tournament because it was the particular goal average that prevailed ... But we were there and we managed to put 35 points to a team of Ireland which dominates world rugby with other teams and which has proven in recent years that it is competitive.

"

The hinge sets the pace

Notice the performance: the XV of France achieves the feat of not winning the tournament by having beaten the best teams in the table, all while relying on a Dupont-Ntamack hinge as brilliant as it is decisive in the last two games.

Galthié, praising: “they are very comfortable in the animation.

They took a lot of maturity during this competition.

The experience made them denser, like the whole team.

They end the tournament with a feeling of success and joy, we are very satisfied with our hinge on this match and the previous ones.

"

If all is not rosy yet and a certain margin of progress remains to win titles quickly - hello indiscipline - we must pay tribute to Fabien Galthié for his judicious choices, starting with the staff.

Because it is in the working climate created by the architects behind the scenes that the current dynamic takes root, insists Cyrille Baille.

“What has changed is the way of training.

We train with a lot of rhythm, it shows in the matches.

“The Blues run and tackle more and better, obviously, it's mathematical, they give themselves more chances to win at the end.

Work, family ...

Finally, the images of joy and communion at the whistle against Ireland and then in the locker room, beer in hand, convey a certain joie de vivre.

Without going into the cliché of the group that lives well ... this group lives well.

"We grow, we win, we enjoy the field and we have fun", relishes captain Charles Ollivon, perfectly installed in the role of leader entrusted to him, again rightly, Fabien Galthié.

Baille continues: “we have a young team, we have been together since the youth teams for some and we manage to have a good mix in the end, with a great state of mind.

We're super happy together and it shows on the pitch.

"

The optimism here stems both from the freshness of the group and its encouraging results.

The XV of France has logically gained confidence and awareness that it can already rub shoulders with the best.

Second place behind England motivates them more than it defeats them.

Ollivon: “the momentum is there and we intend to keep it going.

»And Galthié, to announce:« the best is yet to come ».

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