Italy: From the failed start to the hat-trick of Villière, the Blues oscillated between good and blah

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At the Stade de France,

What is the secret of a well-rehearsed script? A start to the match breaks feet, one or two scares, the alarm clock, then the party after 80 minutes in front of 62,000 spectators in a trance (more than usual). Years that we chain France-Italy in friendly or during the Tournament, years that it lasts. Annoying for twenty minutes and well helped by the XV of France, Italy led twice before being scattered by the Blues at the Stade de France (37-10).

The latter, orphaned by a covid Fabien Galthié, ensured the main thing by scraping the offensive bonus and are already preparing for a decisive confrontation against Ireland, the other favorite proclaimed at the end of the first day. With a watchword from Raphaël Ibañez, at a press conference: “take it up a notch”. Because if everything is obviously not to throw away, it is clear that such a performance will not be enough against the Irish. Small list of the good and the less good glimpsed on Sunday.

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The second try: For the whole work. The transmission speed is crazy and the Italians couldn’t do anything. Not for lack of being well mounted on the carrier.

Gabin “Cheslin” Villiere: A hat-trick and a disturbing image. On his second try, the one where Gregory Aldritt somehow gets his hands dirty to trigger the offering, the winger walks what’s left of the Squadra on supports reminiscent of Kolbe. Nothing we don’t already know. The Toulonnais is lively and he is an outstanding finisher, so he is more likely to collect the laurels at the end of the battles (he was elected man of the match). Raphaël Ibañez nevertheless prefers to emphasize the values ​​embodied by his player. “What is quite characteristic about him is this warrior state of mind, which is an example for his teammates. “A fitting tribute for a man who does not hesitate to block his pocket body to stop a kicking game.

Intensity: Clearly what allowed the Blues to eat the Italians in the long run (that, and the talent, and the bench). “The first half was very physical but it was what allowed us to win the match,” Greg Alldrit summed up very well in the mixed zone. La Squadra overplayed 40 minutes before collapsing. The Blues, they were still riding in the 80th to go and plant a fifth. Rather reassuring.

Galthié telework coaching : If Raphaël Ibañez was the appointed coach for the meeting replacing the coach, who tested positive for Covid, the latter was probably not going to let Omicron prevent him from doing his job from a distance. “We happened to communicate throughout the meeting, explained Ibañez in a press conference, in particular on the strategic side and the coaching at the end of the meeting. We adapted well for the good of the team. Antoine Dupont for his part had had the boss on the phone at the start of the afternoon. “Everything was clear.” It even seems that remote work has allowed Galthié to start preparing his files for Ireland. What good, then.

The lessers

The ugly start: Melvyn Jaminet didn’t have a terrible game. Less good than usual against the poles, he scratched some precious aerial balloons. Except one: the one that leads to the Italian test to crown the first 20 minutes to be thrown into oblivion. Raphaël Ibañez puts it down to the lack of rhythm. “This team hadn’t played together for three months. “A detail that only applies to France, like the rain and the wind also mentioned. As the devil would say, “Well let’s see”.

Indiscipline: 14 faults (including a packet on the ground). It’s huge and it’s above all too much “for a match of international level” to use the words of Grégory Alldrit. Stats that bring us back neither more nor less than to the pre-Galthié era. “It’s not like us to make so many mistakes, worries Dupont. We used to be well disciplined on our previous meetings. All these beautiful people nevertheless promise to insist on this point in the days to come.

A foot game not phew: Antoine Dupont does not panic, but he is not crazy. His kicking game was littered with “approximations” against Italy. Too short, too long, too rarely in the right tempo, in short, too much everything. Melvyn Jaminet agrees, even if he refutes the theory that the XV of France abused this aspect of rugby on Sunday afternoon. “With the weather conditions, holding the ball was complicated. It’s not so much that there was too much footwork as a matter of precision. We will have to settle that against the Irish, because they are fans of that. Get to work, guys.


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