Background
112 days. There are 112 days, the French rugby suffered the biggest trauma of history and the biggest losing margin. The 62-13 quarter-final of the World Cup scored the Blues hot iron. Three and a half months after the monumental spanking Cardiff, the XV of France therefore comes back to life and terrain. With a new coach Guy Noves, in his head. The force of the former Toulouse manager is to have both a lot of credit, and time. No one expects miracles of El Tri, as the decrepit state of the team hit the spirits last fall and it’s probably the chance of this group.
It is Italy, not exactly brilliant it either at the last World, which comes inaugurate this new era. In eight trips to the Stade de France since entering the tournament, never Squadra has managed to win. The ideal opponent, so, on paper, to remake gently cherry, especially since this Italy-there seems more vulnerable than ever. Private many major players, it seems particularly friable and difficult to see how it could succeed where its predecessors have all failed. For once, it would be already a small cataclysm for Guy Noves.
If this tournament marks a new era, it is hoped that it also represents a return to certain principles. Beyond the results, it is on his enthusiasm, desire, pleasure, he will take and give more, that will be judged this France team. In the absence of a fully successful game, wait for that first game a promise for the future. It will take more than a year of change and taulier to erase the stigma of such trauma. More than a game, more than a victory, even. But the Blues must put stone by stone. Advancing step by step. On the long road of reconstruction (we will wait before talking about reconquest), it would be harmful to beat up the very first step …
Lafond “? Italy This is a good warm up for the XV de France” – Eurosport
face to face: French Supremacy
Since October 17, 1937, date of the first meeting between the two nations, the French clearly have the upper hand over the Transalpine with only three losses in 37 confrontations. And the balance tips more of the Blues side when operating on their soil. Of the 19 games played, Italy has surprised the XV of France only one occasion. It was March 22, 1997 at Stade Lesdiguières Grenoble (32-40). The last two Italian victory dates back to 2011 and 2013.
Nicolas Mas, Guilhem Guirado and Eddy Ben Arous – Italy France – Icon Sport
players to watch
Because she is attractive on paper, playful and full of insouciance, hinge-Sébastien Bézy Jules Plisson will necessarily be the center of attention. The Toulouse scrum-half will also load abut, at least in middle and short distance. In front, the young opener Carlo Canna (23) can count on him on the experiences of Edoardo Gori, only two years old but more with 47 selections.
Twirling, the Fijian winger Virimi Vakatawa should also have the opportunity to talk about his support and his beautiful art ball in hand. Prominent with Clermont, the former captain of the U20, Paul Jedrasiak, will live his baptism of fire on the day of its 23 years. The opportunity to test facing famous Italians in rough areas of confrontation. Because it’s one of the best in the world at position number 8 Sergio Parisse delivery also deserves to be closely scrutinized.
Virimi Vakatawa, the Fijian who dreamed of the XV of France – Eurosport
3 stats to keep in mind
20. 8 matches at the Stade de France, the Blues have always defeated Italy in the tournament. And quite widely. The average difference between the two teams is 20 points. The more “short” tricolor victory in Paris against the Italians when the first duel in 2000: 11 points (42-31).
84. The percentage of defeats of the Italian team in the tournament. In 16 participations, the Transalpine have lost 67 of their 80 matches, or 83.8% of defeats.
273. The total number of selections of the 15 French holders Saturday. 18.2 capes on average. What makes this team the XV of France less experienced from the test match in Australia in June 2008, when many owners were away.
They said
Wenceslas Lauret (third line of the XV of France)
“Titi (Thierry Dusautoir, note) is gone. It’s true that it leaves me a little more room to express myself. Now, chocolate, he is here! We must chew it! But it is rewarding to be appointed as his heir. It’s heavy too. We all know Titi. We know the aura he had for the team of France. me considered his heir, it is heavy to carry but I will try to honor this title. When you trust me, I bite into it. “
Jacques Brunel (Italy coach)
“In my four years, we lacked the ability to switch parties. It is sometimes technical, sometimes mind too, because when we do not used to defeat … “
Our opinion
Difficult to watch the last four years of the XV of France and derive tremendous satisfaction in terms of quality of play but also results. And this is not the last World Cup which helped restore color to a formation tricolor why many fans have lost a lot of affection. However, the current situation of Italian rugby does not grow much more optimism with brand absences and notes that soon point the tip of his nose.
It is precisely on this point that the Blues suggest reasons for hope. No one can yet predict whether this younger group will wreak havoc but at least it has the merit to create a new craze. Logically, the Italians should not prevent Guy Noves begin his term with a win. 10-15 points difference would be unimaginable.
By Fabien POMIES and Lawrence VERGNE
Guy Noves, coach of the XV of France – AFP
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