Hip hip hip… Hooray! France has joined the World Top 5, at least in the ranking unveiled this Wednesday by World Rugby. This is the direct consequence of the victory of the Blues against Australia on Tuesday (28-26), a first in the land of kangaroos for 31 years! The finding is all the more satisfying as the France group is made up mainly of inexperienced players at the international level, the usual conscripts having been left to rest for various reasons (notably the Top 14 final between Toulouse and La Rochelle). The XV of France is now sandwiched between Ireland (4th) and Wales (6th). Slippage on the other hand for the Wallabies, from fifth to seventh place.
The podium remains unchanged, dominated by the world champions South Africans, ahead of New Zealand and England.
There remains one match of the summer tour for Fabien Galthié's men to prove themselves worthy of their status, after a cruel defeat in the first of three matches.
While World Rugby has just changed several rules to promote a more offensive game, it will be necessary to be careful during the next matches if this philosophy suits the Blues well.
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Top 14
XV of France
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Fabien Galthie