The kick-off sent directly into touch by Romain Ntamack could have suggested for a short moment that the Blues could have been destabilized as much by the wind as the annoying way in which the Scots had left them simmering before deciding to join them before the hymns.
Super Dupont
This idea was quickly chased away by a number of which only “Super Dupont” has the secret. A raise from the captain of the Blues, four defenders beaten, almost 50 meters covered and, at the very end, a conclusion from Paul Willemse (0-7, 10th). A stroke of brilliance raised by a second achievement from Yoram Moefana served by an inside pass from Cyril Baille (3-12, 13th).
Bim! That was what was posed. Fabien Galthié’s players made a thunderous introduction. And ? And wham… They started to crumble collectively. Jostled in the air like Melvyn Jaminet, yielding to indiscipline (6 penalties in the first period), flirting with the draft, they seemed to lose their game. The Scots took the opportunity to reduce the score thanks to Darge who crossed the line (10-12, 30and).
A dangerous wavering moment. Especially since Antoine Dupont’s teammates have exposed themselves through questionable initiatives. It was only by the grace of a huge hand fault by Stuart Hogg, shifted after a breakthrough by Darge, that they avoided the K.-O..
Worrying? Gaël Fickou chased this adjective out of an individual feat. By starting an improbable cross race which, 30 meters further, allowed him to overthrow Price at the end of the line (10-19, 40th + 3). Ultra-realistic these French?
Oh yeah. And you haven’t read everything… By popping up to capture a ball from the capricious rebound of a ball that had trapped the Scottish defense, which was coming back after a breakthrough and a kick to follow from Damian Penaud, Jonathan Danty confirmed this propensity (10-26, 44th). The offensive bonus was already in the pocket.
The Imperial Blues on the ground
The score was done. The Blues were able to apply themselves to methodically destroy the Scots on the bases. Forget the excitement of the first period. They imposed their law in the ground game, well helped by the opening of the bench.
The reward ? a fifth try at the end of the line from Damian Penaud after Jean-Baptiste Gros and Gaël Fickou snatched a ball from the rucks (10-31, 59th). The winger did it again for the sixth blue try by receiving a perfect cross from Romain Ntamack (10-36, 75th). A demonstration that the test of Duhan van der Merwe did not attenuate (17-36, 80th) …