By winning in extremis against Wales on Saturday night (32-30), the XV of France retains its chances of winning the Six Nations Tournament.
For that, it will be necessary to beat Scotland on Friday (9 p.m.), with the offensive bonus and 21 points difference.
Not easy.
Especially, according to Eric Blanc, the rugby consultant of Europe 1, the Blues will have to quickly remobilize, as they have been dominated by the Welsh.
DECRYPTION
The XV of France gave us an incredible end to the match on Saturday night against Wales.
Not really restful for the faint of heart, but very rich in emotion.
Reduced to 14 after the red card from Paul Willemse and led by 10 points three minutes from the end of the game, the Blues have yet to let go.
Dominated in almost all areas of play by Welsh in clinical rugby, the Habs have never ceased to insist.
Several times, they collapsed in the opposing goal without seeing their tries granted.
It was therefore necessary to wait and the test of captain Charles Ollivon to revive hopes (77th).
After the transformation quickly typed by Romain Ntamack, the French stuck to the score: 27-30 and three short minutes to play.
The Blues then knew how to be patient, multiplied the playing time, avoiding mistakes.
After a very long streak, the deliverance will come from the rear Brice Dulin, served off by Baptiste Serin after the siren.
32-30 and explosion of joy in the French camp.
️ Are we not here?! # NeFaisonsXV # XVdeFrance # FRAGALpic.twitter.com / JKTzm6jWp9
- France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 20, 2021
"This team had a huge heart, courage and great solidarity"
Cruel end for the Welsh who see their Grand Slam fly away at the last second, but in the blue camp, this victory is synonymous with hope: the XV of France can still win the Tournament.
"To believe it, we have to recover because the match against Scotland will happen very quickly. We will cross our fingers. This France team is coming back from nowhere (against Wales). It had a huge heart, courage and great solidarity. We can see their state of mind, they are not giving up. This team is being built, "confirms Éric Blanc, rugby consultant for Europe 1.
It is for these matches that we love this sport!
It is for these matches that you train hard!
It is for these matches that we are proud to be your supporters!
! # NeFaisonsXV # XVdeFrance # FRAGALpic.twitter.com / rBtwBrs5TB
- France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 20, 2021
"The Welsh have dominated us in a lot of areas of play"
To win the Tournament, the Blues must win against Scotland on Friday at the Stade de France (21 hours), with the offensive bonus and 21 points difference.
A delicate mission but within the reach of Fabien Galthié's players who will however have to be more diligent than against Wales.
"There is a lot of work still to be done. The Welsh have dominated us in many areas of the game," said Eric Blanc.
"But this France team has resources, has a lot of soul," he prefers to be positive.
For the match against the Scots (postponed due to numerous cases of Covid-19 in the French ranks), the XV of France should benefit from the return of Bernard Le Roux, a formidable tackler but absent for two meetings due to a muscle injury in the thigh.