Under the discreet sun of Edinburgh, the Blues once again shone on Saturday February 26, sweeping (36-17) the brave but limited Scots compared to them. More hard-hitting, physically more enduring, tactically better prepared, and more individually talented, the Habs simply devoured their opponents. The score is not misleading. Fabien Galthié’s players are moving to another level. Failures, here, on this lawn of Murrayfield, two years ago (28-17) or last season at the Stade de France (27-23) were only the hesitations of a team under construction. Today, it is well built and one wonders where it will stop.
The Grand Slam, if it will only be validated after successes in Wales, on March 11 and then against England in Saint-Denis, on March 19, seems obvious. Faced with such a demonstration, the “Marseillaises” flourished in the stands. These Blues are at home everywhere and they are attracting more and more supporters.
« Flower of Scotland » a cappella
They were perhaps not quite 20,000 as Fabien Galthié had announced, but more than 10,000, and that’s already a lot. Tricolor flags floated everywhere above disguised, made-up, smiling figures. Edinburgh had taken on the appearance of a province of France, and its Murrayfield stadium, those of a district apart where the language of Molière seriously rivaled that of Shakespeare. This little “Stade de France” side barely faded during the time of the Scottish anthem “Flower of Scotland”, sung a cappella until it gave chills.
The stands played their part and it’s good when you remember that not so long ago, these shocks took place in the middle of empty enclosures, where silence disputed with the noise of the impacts. The actors, too, held their rank. And the Blues have once again conquered hearts and minds.
Devastating throttle shots
Their future adversaries, Wales and England, must wonder what sauce they will be tasted. In fact, they already know because the recipe is pretty much always the same. Whether against the All Blacks on November 20, 2021 (40-25), against Ireland on February 12 (30-24) or against Scotland, the Tricolores applied the same tactics, with the same effects.
The Blues start with their feet to the ground and score very early. This time, it is on a raise from Antoine Dupont, crossing, from his twenty-two meters, three-quarters of the field, all alone in the middle of the opposing defense, temporizing to wait for support, then releasing the spurts of Yawns then Willemse, author of the first attempt (8th).
Five minutes later, Penaud, blocked on his sideline, puts inside Baille, who finds Moefana, concluding a movement while speed. At 12-3, after 13 minutes, we think the case is heard. But these Blues also need oxygen and they offer themselves some air pockets. The Scots, players and fighters, took the opportunity to pick up the score before being knocked out for good, just before then just after half-time.
Fickou’s raid (40th), the happy rebound for Danty (42nd) are not only synonymous with an offensive bonus (six tries for them in total). Above all, they show that Fabien Galthié’s men have it under the pedal and that their acceleration is devastating. To make you dizzy and to capsize hearts.
