France have ingredients to romp home in 6 Nations
French rugby is in a great place right now and long may that continue. The rugby world is always better when France are scaring the living daylights out of their opponents.
The bookies have installed Fabien Galthie’s side as favourites for the Six Nations and it is not hard to see why. That 40-25 victory over the All Blacks in November felt like a breakthrough moment.
Of course, France have beaten the All Blacks many times, some of those wins ranking among the most memorable matches in rugby history. But this one felt different because it was the culmination of 18 months of solid improvement. It was not just France turning on some of that famous Gallic flair and catching New Zealand cold, as in 1999, for instance. It was sustained, brilliant rugby.
Yes, the All Blacks were at the end of a long season. Yes, they had been in a bubble for months. They were mentally and physically tired. But they are always a threat, as they showed when they almost turned over Ireland in Dublin the previous weekend off just 39 per cent possession and 33 per cent territory.
New Zealand will always have spells in a game when they are unplayable. It was the same at the Stade de France.
Previous France teams might have crumbled when the All Blacks recovered from 24-6 down at halftime to move to within two points at 27-25. Maintaining discipline and control has always been France’s Achilles’ heel, but this time they kept their heads. They stayed in the game, regrouped and regathered.
Psychologically, for a young group of players, that was very important.
When you get the chemistry right, that is when the magic happens — and that is what is happening with France. They have a blend of talented young players who have come through the age groups and who are fearless and untainted by past failures. Guys such as Peato Mauvaka, Damian Penaud, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. They have blended them with more experienced heads.
Perhaps most importantly, as far as the Six Nations is concerned, they have an incredibly kind draw.
France begin at home to Italy.
They also play Ireland and England at home, which is crucial, with trips to Wales and Scotland in between those two fixtures.
What a mouthwatering tournament it promises to be. England are moving in the right direction again, Scotland’s two professional clubs are going well, providing the national team with their best squad in 20 years, Wales are the defending champions and
Ireland are coming off a brilliant autumn.
I cannot look past France, though. It has been more than a decade since they last won the Six Nations in
2010. But with a home World Cup hoving into view, an incredible squad of players, and now the right coaching chemistry, they are building something very serious to go with their natural flair.