relive all the evidence of the victory of the blues against the Welsh
France’s XV played against the Welsh (41-28) on Saturday for the final match of the 2023 Six Nations Tournament.
Their fate is no longer in their hands. Pending the result of Ireland-England (an Irish defeat, indeed improved, could crown the Blues), the XV of France did the job against Wales, on Saturday 18 March, at the Stade de France, winning broadly (41-28 ) .
Led from the start of the match, Fabien Galthié’s men didn’t have time to shake, thanks to Damian Penaud’s quick response. Beginning of the walk of health for the Habs, who scored five tries, against four conceded, which give them the offensive bonus point. Note in particular the first try in Blues of the pillar Uini Atonio.
8th minute: North cools the atmosphere
Boiling at kick-off, Stade de France still believe in the possibility of winning the 2023 tournament. But the fervor is soon cooled by the thunderous start to the match from the Welsh, who pitch their tent in the 22-metre tricolor. After eight minutes of siege, and several balls carried, it was after a touch that George North’s three-quarter wing pierced the French line and flattened between the posts.
10th minute: Penaud plays the riot
Cold harvest, the French quickly put the blue cheese. Upon expulsion, the ball returns to the tricolor hands. In the middle of the field, Romain Ntamack embarks on a fantastic full-axis ride, sharpens some Welsh along the way then slides a chistera towards Antoine Dupont. The latter’s jump pass to Damian Penaud, alone on the wing, cuts Leek’s XV. The wing of the Clermont flattens out without batting an eye.
34′: Danty gives air to the Blues
After two penalties converted by Thomas Ramos, the Azzurri breathe better. Faced with the overwhelmed Welshman, they accelerate towards the end of the first period. With Dupont in charge, they set up the Welsh defense on the left of the lawn, a whisker from the in-goal. In four passes, the ball flies to the opposite wing, swallows the width at full speed. Damian Penaud inherits and serves Jonathan Danty, who takes the armband and widens the gap for France.
44′: first goal in the national team for Uini Atonio
After returning from the dressing rooms, the XV of France has resumed its irresistible march forward. After a scrum, Antoine Dupont carries the ball, supported by his teammates before serving Thomas Ramos. The full-back then finds Uini Atonio, who goes on to record his first try in the blue (for his 50th selection) and brings the score to 25-7.
49th minute: Fickou invites himself to the party
On a cloud, the XV of France nailed the pace, with proof of the offensive bonus scored by the indestructible Gaël Fickou. After a scramble in the center of the posts, the ball leapt quickly into the hands of Romain Ntamack who found the captain of the defense launched like a rocket into the centre. The following ? Fickou in the text, up to the goal area, after a circle all in control.
56′ minute: Roberts softens the note for the Welshman
In confidence, the Blues take not quite calculated risks, like Thomas Ramos. After picking up the ball in the goal area, the French full-back tries to bring it back out of 22 metres, but is stopped. The Welsh catch up on the swell and quickly find open water where Adams passes in force. The ball escapes him, but Bradley Roberts recovers it and reduces the gap to 34-12.
65th minute: Williams revives the Welshman
What if the match isn’t folded? That’s the thought that runs through the bays of the Stade de France as the Welsh score their third try, edging back within 13 points of the Blues. This time it was Tipuric who escaped on the wing before being caught on the wire. But Wales insisted and Tomos Williams slipped into a hole.
78′: brace for Penaud
To increase their chances of winning the final, France must win with the largest gap and find a twenty-point lead at the end of the game. It all starts from Thomas Ramos, author of a new precious round for Damian Penaud. The Clermont full-back scored his second try of the match to make the score 39-21, before a conversion from Thomas Ramos (41-21). But then the Blues scuttled each other…
79′ Minute: Dyer leaves a bad taste in the Blues’ mouth
The Stade de France turns around, and believes more than ever in the perfect scenario before the outcome of Ireland-England (18:00). But the tricolor plan took the lead on the wing on the expulsion, while the Blues missed two consecutive tackles and paved the way for a fourth Welsh try, signed by Rio Dyer.
Transformed, he brings the score to 41-28 and a gap of 13 points in favor of the Blues.
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