The metro ride on a crowded line 13 is not enough to make Daniel lose his good mood.
Came to Paris from Besançon to see the Blues face Scotland on Sunday February 26, this septuagenarian enjoys the crowd bath to which he is entitled when he comes to the Stade de France, a kind of long scrum prior to each meeting .
“We are now missing the beer station to finish the journey,” he jokes when he finds the lively air of Saint-Denis.
For him, the defeat in Ireland, the best team in the world at the moment, was a "hard comeback to reality".
But he has not lost his confidence in the Blues, who have had an exceptional year in 2022, with 10 wins in 10 games and a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament.
"I like this team and we must continue to support it," he explains.
The state of mind of the Blues is one of the reasons why a group of around twenty people made the trip from Roanne.
Basketball fans, they come to the Stade de France for the first time to see the Blues play.
"We feel that this team is humble and respectful. It's a nice sport", explains Julien, 22 years old.
He is one of the many new supporters of the XV of France since its revival began two years ago.
And the enthusiasm continues to rise with the World Cup approaching.
"Around me, people are talking more and more about the Blues, I feel a lot of interest", explains Delphine, a 32-year-old Lille resident who has been following rugby for several years.
A serious case of corruption
Edouard also has an old oval fiber.
He was already there when the Blues chained defeats at the Stade de France, in a heavy silence.
And he is suddenly delighted to find the warm atmosphere which reigns around the sports enclosure before the match against Scotland, already reveling in that which will precede the inaugural match of the World Cup against New Zealand. , on September 8, for which he has a place.
For this young man of 25, the only downside is not sporting.
"I could never wear a France team jersey with the Altrad logo on it," he asserts.
He does not accept that this company is involved in a corruption affair which led to the conviction of the president of the French Rugby Federation, Bernard Laporte, to two years in prison, suspended, then to his resignation.
He regrets that this case harms the image of rugby and the France team.
Even if it does not seem to affect the performance of the players on the field in any way.
"That's the main thing," explains Nathalie, who came to support the Blues with her children.
"It must not be able to bother the players. They have nothing to do with it. And we come here to see a victory for the Blues."
A sold-out game
Ill-informed about these legal cases, Ulysses, 25, displays total disinterest, explaining that he prefers to see "what is happening in front of the screen than behind".
He wears a magnificent rooster costume, just like Agathe, Andrea and Maxime who stand by his side.
Costumes that have been passed down in his family for 12 years, according to the meetings of the XV of France.
Some have also traveled to New Zealand during a match of the Blues.
Ulysse and his acolytes are quite ready to wear them to support the Blues during the World Cup if places miraculously arise.
Ulysse, Agathe, Andrea and Maxime in support of the Blues, February 26 © France 24 / Olivier Bras
This colorful quartet was able to give voice for 80 minutes against Scotland and rejoice in the tricolor victory.
A match which, according to the French Rugby Federation, was sold out.
Spectators were able to enjoy a pre-match in World Cup mode, with a surge of watts and pyrotechnic effects.
Animations intended to delight an audience wishing to party with the conquering Blues, in the wake of their captain Antoine Dupont.
The French scrum-half, Frédéric and Séverine know him well.
They come from the Hautes-Pyrénées, not far from the village of Castelnau-Magnoac, of which Antoine Dupont has become the most illustrious ambassador.
They praise the qualities of this "simple player who has local values".
And they savor the victory of this French team which was able to quickly get back to winning, against a formidable opponent.
They will take advantage of their stay in Paris to go to the Salon de l'Agriculture, which is currently being held in Paris.
The star of the 2023 edition is called Ovalie, a cow from the Salers breed.
A name that will not fail to seduce rugby fans in this year of the World Cup.
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