Too strong, the English largely beat the French at Chaban-Delmas (21 – 42). Too permeable, the Blues were unable to fight against the power of the Red Roses in the first half. After the break, the red card received by Assia Khalfaoui ended the hopes of victory. The English achieve the grand slam again.
It was a match to go down in rugby history! This crunch between the XV of France and the Red Roses smelled more like powder than ever on this last day of the Women’s 6 Nations Tournament, the final winner of which would be chosen at the end of the match. And what a meeting, with no less than 9 tries scored on the pitch of a full Chaban Delmas stadium. Thus, the English extend their streak of invincibility for a season and bring their series to 6 victories in a row in the Tournament. Unfortunately for the players of David Ortiz and Gaëlle Mignot, history tirelessly repeats itself…
Too strong, the English women largely beat the French women at Chaban-Delmas. Too permeable, the Blues were unable to fight against the power of the Red Roses. The English achieve the grand slam again.
The summary -> https://t.co/gltYze2Og1 pic.twitter.com/AsSSd8rI3x— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) April 27, 2024
A first period of madness
49 points, 7 tries, such was the crazy result at the end of the first 40 minutes of this Crunch which met all expectations. Nevertheless, the advantage was clearly in favor of the visitors who dominated the debates in most sectors of the game. We can note a first turning point in this final in the 24th minute of play. While France had reduced the score ( 7/14), Emilie Boulard made a decisive error by missing her hand throw from 22 meters. His unsteady pass after contact allowed Jones to easily finish to achieve another break in this intense match. This action ultimately symbolizes the nature of this meeting with a reactionary French team which will always have made the mistake of taking points after having scored them. Thus, despite Marine Ménager’s try (28th, 14/21), the Red Roses still drove the point home thanks to the power of its forward pack. Packer and Cokayne scored the final two tries of a wild first half, bringing the score to 35-14.
More balanced debates despite the exclusion of Khalfaouie
The second turning point in this match, and perhaps the most decisive, was the definitive exclusion after the bunker of the Assia Khalfaoui pillar. Too rough and above all dangerous with a shoulder charge on Talling while trying to clear, the Frenchwoman left her partners at 14 for the last 30 minutes of this match. An error which, in retrospect, will fuel regrets among the Triclores who will have tied the match with England at the end of a much tighter second period (one try on each side). Courageous and led by a dynamite Pauline Bourdon Sansus, the Blues showed a conquering face which was rewarded by Marine Ménager’s second try (71st, 21/35).
Read also :
6 Women’s Nations – The scores of Les Bleues against England: Pauline Bourdon-Sansus tried everything, Assia Khalfaoui was expensive
Good and less good
The content of the match remains interesting for France which is missing out on the title in the 6 Nations Tournament for the 5th time in a row. Offensively, the game patterns are well established but it is in the control of the ball that the XV of France was feverish with no less than 24 hand faults recorded. Also in the rucks, the Red Roses showed off their qualities by contesting numerous munitions which undermined the blue advances.
This defeat should not hide the great performances achieved during this competition which reflects the remarkable work carried out by the staff for several years. Facing the best nation in the world, the Blues showed that they were at the level and it is certain that in the near future, the scales will fall on the right side for Manae Feleu’s teammates.