6 NATIONS 2023 – Philippe Sella, legend of French rugby (111 selections) was at Twickenham during the historic success of the XV of France once morest England (53-10). The former international center bears witness to this rare moment and is already planning for the World Cup in France.
Philippe, what is your analysis of this 110th Crunch in history?
It’s a memorable day and weekend because I don’t forget the under 20s who largely beat the English. Scores like that in the Tournament are rarely seen. I say bravo. The French team is having a great tournament. The adversity is tough with Ireland and Scotland, which are two teams that offer a lot of play. On Saturday, the French had control 85% of the time. There is certainly this little slump at the start of the second period but they quickly resumed their domination.
Leave the stadium? It’s a bit fashionable there when things don’t go well
Did the Blues make the perfect match?
Yes, it tends towards the perfect match. Each player showed immense involvement, discipline was there, the Blues kept the ball, they offered a varied game with judicious footwork each time, and this brilliance at times… It is still there. They did their job. It was fluid, committed, technical. It was beautiful.
You say they did their job, but it’s more than that, isn’t it? It is almost unreal to pass 50 points to the English…
It’s not a simple performance: it’s regarding the exceptional. A Crunch is a game like no other. As soon as you arrive at the stadium, there are the hymns and the guts working. You hope it will go well and from the start of the match, France had control over the match. I watched this Crunch with a smile, with happiness.
You were at Twickenham. What did you feel ?
I was on the side of the French supporters. As always the stadium was full, the “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” resounded from time to time. We sang “La goffa Lolita” (song by the group La petite culotte, NDLR) at Twickenham in response. It was a wonderful atmosphere, because it must be said that the English supported their team. Until game time…
Yes and some left the stadium on the 6th French try…
Yes following they left the stadium. It’s strange but it’s a bit fashionable there when things don’t go well. I had trouble remembering such a situation, it had been so long since the French team had won in England. I remember the 90s when the French were dominant, they had won at home. As a supporter, in 1997-1998 the Blues were “wow!”
It was “amazing”
Did you imagine, did you dream of such a scenario?
Absolutely not. I had fears before the match to see the English transcend. I thought there would be an English reaction. I also imagined that they were going to put a lot of pressure, to show themselves at the limit of the rule to make us thwart. Nothing at all. The France team played as they wished. The ball very rarely reached the wing on the side of the Rose.
All in all, a perfect followingnoon…
I never felt any danger. Never. I was happy, it was a happy followingnoon. Although it rained most of the game, it was hot at Twickenham. I imagine the happiness that the Blues have brought to all French viewers. Yet with this weather, it was an English day.
Is this the biggest match of the French team in England?
In England no. There’s another game except it wasn’t once morest England. In 1997 or 1998, I don’t remember, the French had played the Welsh in London at the Wembley football stadium (51-0 victory on April 4, 1998 once morest Wales, offering the Blues a second grand slam in a row, editor’s note ). That day also there had been 50 points. It was “amazing” (incredible, editor’s note) like this Saturday.
The Blues of captain Raphaël Ibañez had achieved a double grand slam in 1998.
Have you had a thought for the English, our greatest enemies?
These are tough times for them. I imagine an icy silence in the locker room. For me, there was not even a “lifting of the suspenders” from the coach (Steve Borthwick). Silence is the worst, especially when it resonates in players’ bodies. This match is truly historic.
France wants something big
It’s good for the France team first, then for France. It’s a year that serves more than the Grand Slam because in this Tournament there were difficult meetings where the French sometimes had gaps. They will be able to rely on that.
How do you see the sequel?
This team is united, strong. There remains a match once morest Wales which is undoubtedly below the other nations. We have to negotiate it well to continue this year 2023 with confidence and lead us to the World Cup. France wants something big.
The objective is nothing other than the world title, do you agree?
The XV of France is on the world podium, it’s a fact, and there is this dream… But first you have to finish the current competition.
Can the Blues be world champions?
The goal is to be at the top in the world, knowing that other nations have a similar intention. We are part of this small list of teams that can really hope to become world champions. We must continue to improve for tomorrow but this osmosis is magnificent.
