Faced with the Argentine Pumas, the XV of France received three out of three – Libération

It therefore took a year of convalescence for France to digest – if not forget – this defeat in the Rugby World Cup which, as expected, ended prematurely in Berezina. A year of initially not very high (on the pitch), then very low (off it), to end the year in a crescendo. Friday November 22 in the evening, despite the day being rather unfavorable for attracting the provincial public, the Stade de France was however three-quarters full, for the conclusion of the autumn 2024 test matches, where the XV tricolor therefore did not never stumbled, and barely trembled.

At the final whistle, despite the late schedule, the stubborn cold and Indochina in the sound system, many spectators were not in such a hurry to leave the enclosure, as if to better validate the remission. Two weeks after sweeping Japan (52-12) and only six days after having defeated New Zealand… by a small point (30-29) with such serious consequences for the morale of the troops, Argentina was therefore the third nation scalped by hosts decidedly without pity for their hosts (the word works both ways, practical). 37-23, a fairly clear score, consistent with the level difference on the pitch.

A worn-out Argentina

To say that the manner was fully there would seem to be an exaggeration. But, in a warm atmosphere – and in no way hostile towards the visitors – the fact is that the Blues never doubted, also helped in this by a worn Argentina, incapable of finding solutions in the face of the tricolor defensive curtain and above all committing too many mistakes. Until going hara-kiri in the first half with a liability of two yellow cards brandished by the British referee, Luke Pearce, and a penalty try.

Once again, the forwards were generally on pace, like Charles Ollivon who went through all the stages in November: left out of the group during the first meeting, replacing for the second and elected man of the match against the Pumas – great response from Toulon, once again without pronouncing one word louder than the other. Likewise, the French XV confirmed its propensity to know how to convert highlights into tries. Including when the face of the meeting becomes more uncertain (like after the break), showing a dazzling vision illustrated by the rides of Louis Bielle-Biarrey; the new darling who put on the show, in the absence of Damian Penaud, who was ill, by scoring yet another try while speeding – his fourth in three matches!

And “pragmatism” associated with “very big individuals, like Thomas Ramos” (imperial to the foot), which according to the Argentinian coach, Felipe Contepomi, makes the Blues “one of the best teams in the world today”. What could be suggested, in a more subliminal way, by the French coach-selector, Fabien Galthié, always fond of statistics, by specifying “we are at 80% victories (understand: since he took the head of the French XV, in 2020, editor’s note), which has never happened in French rugby.”

“It was important to be present in these three matches and we are satisfied with the result. What we decided to do works and the players are able to apply it without necessarily needing to check all the boxes to win. Galthié further clarified, insisting, as he does almost every time he speaks, on the notions of“emulation” and of «concurrence» which, at the risk of breaking down open doors, can only be beneficial to the group.

Several young people showed off

An observation which is valid in this case for the young people who managed to attract attention to these three matches: the Bordeaux winger, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, in the lead, of course, but also the 3rd line of La Rochelle, Paul Boudehent, the 2nd line of Toulouse, Emmanuel Meafou, and even others, like Théo Attissogbe or Marko Gazzotti, who, with less playing time, have demonstrated that they were not there to make up the numbers either, but to tickle the elders. Who also heard the message, if we rely on Charles Ollivon’s performance; while Grégory Alldritt, one of the three or four most emblematic players of the Galthié era, was “exempted” from France-Argentina, due to a drop in performance noted by the staff (and observers).

This November set having allowed them to take control, France therefore ends the year 2024 with eight victories, one draw and two defeats. Without simpering (or insisting on the luck factor having smiled a few times), we will recognize that it could be worse. Especially since the spectacle was also quite good, with fifteen autumn tries registered – namely an average of five per match, Japan in sieve mode having added to the bill.

With their smiles returned, the elite of French rugby can imagine spending the end-of-year celebrations peacefully (quite relative, however, with the Top 14 not taking a break during this period), before thinking about the next stage: the Tournament of 6 nations 2025, the start of which is set for Friday January 31, with the reception, still at the Stade de France, of a Wales for whom, conversely, 2024 was an endless ordeal.