Axel May / Photo credits: Malcolm Mackenzie / ProSportsImages / DPPI via AFP
Rugby in Lille this Sunday! At 4 p.m., France faces Italy on the third day of the Six Nations Tournament. If officially everything is going well for the Blues since their victory in Scotland two weeks ago, the failed World Cup still seems to be fresh in people’s minds.
Against Italy, 45 successes in 48 matches, it is an understatement to say that the French start favorites this Sunday. The trauma of the World Cup (quarter-final lost by one point against South Africa on October 15), followed by the heavy defeat against Ireland at the opening of the VI Nations Tournament (17-38, on February 2) hurt, very badly. So, against the Italians (kick-off at 4 p.m.), the Blues hope to build on their success acquired down to the wire in Scotland (20-16, February 10).
“The failure of the World Cup is still in our minds”
Captain in the absence of the injured Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon recognizes that “the atmosphere is different. We were able to put together a serious score. There is obviously more pride than during the first match of the Tournament and heads are higher “. If officially everything is going well with the French, Moreno Molla, journalist at Sky Sport Italy, is more doubtful: “We have the impression that it is a French team which still has problems overcoming what happened during the World Cup. I think this failure is still in people’s minds.”
On the pitch of the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, which will be in a closed roof configuration, we will particularly follow the first steps as holder of the second row phenomenon Posolo Tuilagi, only 19 years old, and the rides of Damian Penaud who is only two units of the Blue test record held by Serge Blanco. Note a last minute package: Bordeaux winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was injured on Saturday and suffered from a stiff neck. He is replaced position for position by Toulouse’s Matthis Lebel.