Find out what caught the attention of our journalist present at Murrayfield: the fervor of the French supporters, a Superdupont; but also Jaminet in distress or the unbearable question about the Grand Slam…
Special Envoy to Edinburgh
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supersonic superdupont
We play the 8e minute. The match is still in its observation phase. When Antoine Dupont picks up in front of his 22 meters a ball cleared by the Scots which rolls softly. The scrum half is almost at a standstill and winger Darcy Graham arrives launched towards him. He is eliminated on a support. The Toulousain accelerates, slips between two defenders, places a fuss, reaches the 22 opposing meters where he plays cat and mouse with Stuart Hogg, who ends up on the buttocks. Dupont is finally taken back but, three passes later, Willemse flattens. Did you say best player in the world?
Murrayfield-sur-France
The French supporters were more than 10,000 to fill the stands of Murrayfield. And we heard them a lot. Vibrant Marseillaise, songs to the glory of Dupont or Fickou. “ It was really impressive, admitted Cyril Baille after the meeting. We felt carried by our public. It almost felt like playing at home. Thank you to those who made the trip. They were huge, pushed us to the end, and it’s also thanks to them that we won today. Supporters thanked by a long lap of honor. “ If they are happy, we are very happy “Sums up the Toulouse pillar. “We almost thought we were at the Stade de France. We really felt supported, it felt good as soon as the bus arrived. La Marseillaise made a lot of noise. It was beautiful emotions“, appreciated the captain of the Blues, Antoine Dupont.
Read alsoSix Nations: the six tries of the XV of France in video
Moefana spreads her wings
Some had wondered. At only 21, would the UBB center manage to keep his cool in the Murrayfield environment and, above all, would he find his bearings on the wing, where the staff had established him. The young man, who had shaved his mustache, answered with aplomb. 7 races, 66 meters gained, a test in force, a magnificent pass after contact… Full card. And a Darcy Graham ridiculed by the power and support of the Wallisian. One more alternative to the wing where, behind Damian Penaud and Gabin Villière, the competition is not rushing.
Claw strokes
Jaminet the day without
The pressure of a first selection on the move in the Six Nations Tournament? The swirling wind? Still, by starting his work as a scorer with a missed penalty 25 meters in front of the posts, the rear of Perpignan did not gain confidence. In the end, Melvyn Jaminet signs a 3/7 far below his standards (43%, against 88% on average during his first eight selections). If we add the conversion missed by Romain Ntamack, the success percentage drops to 38% and 12 points soar. But Jaminet also failed in the game. With a completely failed candle reception or an illegal tackle which cost the Blues dearly. It is up to him to pull himself together against the Welsh in two weeks in Cardiff.
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues after Scotland-France: Dupont as boss, Moefana scores points
Hogg misses a match point
37e minute. France only leads 12 to 10. Scottish raise launched by Duhan Van der Merwe. The winger pierces the heart of the field and the French defense. To place his attack in a trial position, an unstoppable four against one (Ntamack). But chooses the option of the long jump pass in the direction of his captain, Stuart Hogg, on the wingtip. But the back commits a forward at the reception. To tarnish the head for a long time between the hands. Five minutes later, France scores a try, then a second as soon as they return from the locker room. Hope is gone. We will never know if this test could have changed the face of the match…
The Grand Slam raises questions
Obviously, all the media asked the Blues THE question. On the way to the Grand Slam? A refrain that had started on the evening of the victory against Ireland. Of course the XV of France is the only team in the running for this triumph. Of course, with three clear victories in three days, we can believe it. But we must first negotiate the always perilous trip to Cardiff (Friday March 11 at 9 p.m.). If there is a victory, it will be time to ask the question again. There will only be one trick left to complete a Grand Slam awaited since 2010: a “finaleagainst England on Saturday March 19 (9 p.m.) at the Stade de France. The Blues questioned got away with an element of language in the form of a pirouette. Yes, they are competitors and want to win the Tournament. But without ever pronouncing the two words that make you dream.
