Axel May (special envoy to Twickenham), with AFP
modified to
10:34 p.m., March 11, 2023
The XV of France humiliated England on Saturday at Twickenham (53-10), winning the biggest victory in its history against the XV of the Rose on the fourth day of the Six Nations Tournament. The biggest gap until then was +25, reached in 1972 (37-12) and in 2006 (31-6), each time in France. On Saturday, the Blues scored seven tries. England had never conceded so many points in their stadium.
Six months from the next World Cup, the two selections are really on two different planets. One affirms its status as a candidate for the title, while the other is very far from it and must rebuild everything. “I think we have a little trouble realizing it,” immediately recognized Antoine Dupont.
The third biggest defeat in England’s history
With seven tries from Thomas Ramos (2nd), Thibaud Flament (26th, 58th), Charles Ollivon (40th, 60th) and Damian Penaud (72nd, 75th), the Blues of Fabien Galthié have indeed erased a record co-held by the matches of 1972 (37-12) and 2006 (31-6). Each time in France. They also overshadow the 37 points scored in 1972 in Colombes during the Five Nations Tournament (37-12) and inflicted on the English their third biggest defeat in history, but the heaviest at home.
Better, they keep alive their dreams of a new title in the Tournament, after the Grand Slam of 2022, while awaiting the result of the shock between Ireland and Scotland, Sunday in Edinburgh. Everything will therefore be played in a duel of three and at a distance during the fifth and last day: Scotland-Italy, France-Wales and Ireland-England.
Ireland, France and Scotland, a distance fight for the title
Ireland (15 points and two matches to play), France (15 points, one match to play) and Scotland (10 points and two matches to play) are thus competing for a last title six months before the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28). In the meantime, Fabien Galthié has become the first French coach to win in London in the Tournament since Bernard Laporte: since the victory (18-17) in 2005, Marc Lievremont, Philippe Saint-André, Guy Novès and Jacques Brunel have their teeth were in turn broken in the temple of English rugby.
Galthié himself had returned empty-handed from his first two visits to Twickenham: 22-19 after extra time with a team largely overhauled in 2020 in the short-lived Autumn Nations Cup then 23-20 the following year in the VI Tournament Nation.
English players K.-O. upright
His troops have now won wherever they have gone: the Blues have won in Wales (2020, first victory since 2010), Ireland (in 2021, first victory since 2011), Australia (2021, first victory since 1990), in Scotland (in 2022, first victory since 2014) before dominating the legendary All Blacks (2021, first victory since 2009) and the South African world champions (2022, first victory since 2009). broke the English lock that had resisted them since 2007. And even 2005 in the Tournament.
All thanks to a fanfare start: the Blues thus led 10-0 after 7 minutes of play thanks to Thomas Ramos after a try (2nd), a conversion (3rd) and a penalty (7th) on the clock. Thibaud Flament (26th) and Charles Ollivon (40th) then gave a 24-point lead at the break, erasing another record dating back more than forty years (18 points difference at half-time in 1981). Even the usual air hole of the Blues, sanctioned by a test, refused to Max Malins (47th) but validated for Freddie Steward (48th), did not change anything.
Twelfth French success in England
The second line of Toulouse (57th) and the third line of Toulon (60th) have indeed added a try each, synonymous with a double double, and a rout for a sluggish XV of the Rose. And winger Damian Penaud (73rd, 75th) took it upon himself to drive the point home and let the local supporters go home earlier, looking down.
Totally in control, the Habs did not, however, suddenly extinguish the doubts after the sluggish victories against Italy (29-24) and Scotland (32-21) or the setback in Ireland (32-19) . But they won the twelfth French success in England in 117 years while putting Steve Borthwick’s men in front of their shortcomings with this record of points conceded at home.