With François Cros still the author of a four-star performance, the XV of France was also guided by two of its young people against the English: Nolann Le Garrec and Léo Barré.
15. Léo Barré: 7/10
After a clean performance in Cardiff, the Parisian showed France rugby that he could be a formidable attacker. His intervention, with a fake pass then a pass after contact inside, on Nolann Le Garrec’s try was the first highlight of the evening. He was rewarded for his desire with a first international try, that of the revolt (55th). For the rest, he was rather secure on his cover – with a valiant but futile tackle on Ben Earl (42nd) – and his kicking game, despite an escaped entry candle (10th).
14. Damian Penaud: 6/10
The winger remains as elusive as ever. He tried to electrify the game by all means, not always wisely (three lost balls). If he was still weaned from testing, he ended up being decisive by recovering Thomas Ramos’ acrobatic foot pass on Gaël Fickou’s try. He was sometimes in difficulty in the air and, defensively, he was too soft on England’s second try.
13. Gaël Fickou: 6/10
On the momentum of his match in Cardiff, Gaël Fickou stood out from the start with a pass between the legs and a decisive interval catch on Nolann Le Garrec’s try. The rest was more mixed with some inaccuracies and a missed tackle on Ollie Lawrence which led to the first English try. But for his 90th, he ended up finding color with a test and convincing interventions.
12. Nicolas Depoortere: 5/10
The Bordeaux player experienced a second contrasting cape. Offensively, he had little opportunity to express himself with ball in hand but, on one of his rare interventions, he still put Gaël Fickou in the interval on the action of Nolann Le Garrec’s try. In defense, he was put to the test and was powerless, in particular, on Ben Earl’s breakthrough leading to England’s third try.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 4/10
An evening to forget for the Bordeaux region. He had virtually nothing to put into his hands offensively speaking. In defense, his placement was not always wise as on this hazardous climb which put the Blues under pressure at the start of the second period and that on the final English try. One successful tackle, two missed.
10. Thomas Ramos: 6/10
At first, the opener did not seem like a great evening, with technical inaccuracies and some risky strategic options. But the Toulouse man is of the caliber of competitors who never admit defeat and he has gradually rectified his situation. His commitment in the air, his tackled foot pass, at the origin of Gaël Fickou’s try, his success in the kicking game and his confidence until this last rebound captured were worth gold. Champions recognize themselves in moments of truth.
9. Nolann Le Garrec: 7/10
The scrum half kept the promises born from his Welsh recital. He again animated well and was rather judicious in the alternation, his footwork being of generally satisfactory precision. His desire to energize was fruitful, like his intervention on Léo Barré’s essay.
8. Gregory Alldritt: 5/10
A good start at the level of a grouping (7e). The captain was looking for a scratch but was also punished (52e). He was also very messy in his offensive choices. Replaced numerically by Paul Boudehent (70e) which brought its punch.
7. Charles Ollivon: 5.5/10
A great full-field race (27e), a real decisive pass for Léo Barré (55e), a few tackles but also a great presence in the air, particularly on counterattacks. Replaced by Alexandre Roumat (62e) whose dexterity in the air was reassuring.
6. François Cros: 7/10
A stratospheric first half. He was in the oven and in the mill. Intractable in defense, he steals the ball into touch on Le Garrec’s try (18e). Above all, he managed to intervene at the right tempo in several French attacks and brought the surplus or opened intervals for his partners. Less visible with ball in hand in the second half, he delivered some very nice and effective tackles.
5. Emmanuel Meafou: 6/10
A start with a good advance over fifteen meters on the first French offensive. He steals a ball in the ruck with one hand (2e) but does not control the ball on a return (20e). His percussion must have made the English defenders dizzy as they suffered each impact. Replaced by Romain Taofifenua (47e) author once again of a good entry. Very valuable, especially when receiving kick-offs.
4. Thibaud Flament: 6/10
He touched more of the ball than at the Millennium and each time, he pushed his partners forward in the first half. He started the second by missing his tackle on Earl (41e) but he quickly recovered in defense and finished the match at a very good pace.
3. Uini Atonio: 6/10
Sanctioned in the second scrum, his fault allowed the English to open the scoring. On the next, he concedes a free kick before the introduction. Good on his defensive interventions, Atonio snatches a ball. He ended a half full of activity with an offside which two periods of play and a penalty later resulted in Lawrence’s English try (40e). A more laborious resumption after the break, replaced by Georges-Henri Colombe.
2. Julien Marchand: 6/10
The French hooker had a solid encounter. Very useful in the fight (7 tackles), he is also the author of a good scrape which blows the Blues away. If France was precise in touch, we also owe it to the performance of the Toulouse player, perfect in the exercise apart from a throw intended for his first jumper. Exited in the 48th, replaced by Peato Mauvaka, who brought his energy in the second half.
1. Cyril Baille: 5/10
Discreet in the game with only two meters covered and two defenders beaten, the Toulouse left pillar nevertheless kept the house closed in the scrum. In defense, he was credited with three tackles. Author of a mixed performance in Cardiff last Sunday, Baille was unable to completely raise the bar. He was replaced in the 48th minute by Sébastien Taofifenua. The Lyonnais made a very good entry.