Fab France on course for a Slam
Looking at the news racks in Paris yesterday, it did not take a Francophone to gauge the mood of the nation. ‘En position de force! Le French barricade!’
This is a golden generation for French rugby and, after 12 years of waiting, it is going to take something special to stop them from securing the Six nations title.
They no longer look like a team who blow hot and cold. The likes of Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud and gregory Aldritt are not the type to walk off the pitch with a gallic shrug.
There were moments on Saturday night when they lost their composure, conceding 14 points in four second-half minutes, but when they find their rhythm they look unbeatable.
The irish forwards were cleared out from rucks with bone-breaking power. At one point during France’s first-half siege, giant centre Bundee Aki was hit so hard he rolled almost two rotations backwards. The intensity was on a different level from any other contest in this Six nations.
Behind the pack, some of the attacking patterns from their backline were exquisite, with Dupont scoring the first try inside 75 seconds. it was a blend of flair and fight, with dead-eye goalkicker Melvyn Jaminet ensuring territory was turned into points.
Head coach Fabien galthie sidestepped questions about the grand Slam but praised the character of his team, the only unbeaten side.
‘The players have a strong character, a conviction, an ambition,’ he said. ‘This group is guided by pride.’ And he saved his highest praise for winger gabin Villiere.
‘When we put out the jerseys on Friday, he spoke up and said, “i’m going to be there, you’ll see, it’s a war”. Actions followed words. He makes promises to his friends and he simply keeps them.’
The big question is whether France can replicate their intensity on the road, with difficult trips to Edinburgh and Cardiff coming up. They faded at times in the second half and ireland capitalised, playing their part in a blood and thunder match.
Easing concerns about ireland’s no10 depth behind Johnny Sexton, understudy Joey Carbery almost orchestrated a stunning comeback. They attacked with width as the French heavyweights tired. it was a courageous performance, full of guts and determination, as they overcame an ill-disciplined first half.
‘i’ve seen many teams come to Paris and fall over completely, especially with a scoreline of 22-7, but that was never going to be the case with this lot,’ said Farrell. ‘To be in with a chance of winning the game shows a lot but we will be honest enough to admit the reasons why we got into that stage in the first place. But it never fazed the group and that’s a brilliant thing to take forward.’
ireland were left ruing some of their late decision-making. They could have won if they had gambled on an attacking lineout in the closing stages, rather than take the conservative option of three points. instead, they came away with a bonus point which, according to Farrell, could prove the difference in the competition.
‘History shows that you have got to be ready in the Six nations,’ he said. ‘Yes, France are in pole position, but we move on to our next game and try our best to be at our best and take each game from there.’