And to think that the Irish team under 20 remained on two successes against France in the Six Nations Tournament in the category, with a Grand Slam at stake, in 2022 as in 2023. This Friday, in final of the U20 World Cup, Les Bleuets took brilliant revenge by crushing their opponents in Cape Town, South Africa (50-14). The teammates of Marko Gazzotti, voted best player of the tournament, imitate their elders from 2018 and 2019, and achieve a splendid hat-trick, since the Covid had got the better of the following three editions.
Young Tricolores can now aim for the New Zealand record (four titles between 2008 and 2011). Above all, the players of manager Sébastien Calvet, authors of 36 tries in this World Cup, including seven in the final, show the way to their elders from the XV of France, less than two months from the World Cup at home (September 8 – October 28 ). Fabien Galthié’s players could also find their Irish pet peeve in the quarter-finals.
“I think we realized our history. We said to ourselves from the start that it was ours and that we were going to go all the way. We did it, ”said Gazzotti, third line of Grenoble. “Afterwards, if it can inspire the “big guys” and if they also win their own World Cup, it would be perfect for French rugby”. As in the semi-final against England (52-31), his team was picked off cold, before reacting, especially in the second half, then taking off.
“We are very happy because the players played very well. But above all, it was above all the spirit they had throughout the competition: humility, respect for the opponent, fighting spirit, playing for each other “, is delighted Sébastien Calvet.
And yet, two heavyweights were missing!
“This title first rewards all amateur clubs and volunteers”, welcomed in a press release the French Federation (FFR), referring to the “major” roles of the National Technical Directorate (DTN) and the National League (LNR). ), at the origin of the reform of the Jiff which “by giving playing time to our young people in its championships”, “allows them to prepare as well as possible for the high level”. Since 2010-2011, the Jiff rule has forced French clubs to field an average of at least 16 young people from training courses in the league at the end of the season.
During this competition, the French were deprived of the center or winger of Pau Émilien Gailleton and the rear-winger of Bordeaux-Bègles Louis Bielle-Biarrey, retained in A to prepare for the “big” World Cup. But many other players stood out, like the second line of Perpignan Posolo Tuilagi, as powerful (1.94 m, 149 kg) as mobile.
Promises all around
The third line, made up of Montpellier’s Lenni Nouchi, also captain, of Rochelais Oscar Jégou and Gazzotti, displayed its power and efficiency, especially in touch.
The hinge was impeccable, with the scrum half of Clermont Baptiste Jauneau and the opener of La Rochelle Hugo Reus, very precise at the foot and best director of this World Cup (60 points). Behind, the center of Bordeaux-Bègles Nicolas Depoortère, the competition’s best try scorer (5), and the back of Brive Mathis Ferté, author of a double in the final, distinguished themselves. This is extremely promising for French rugby, even in the short term.