The “crunch” between France and England, played in Bordeaux in front of a record crowd, which was to decide the winner of the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, ended in disillusionment for the Blues, once once more beaten by their rivals English (42-21). The latter won their sixth Grand Slam in a row, 18 months before “their” World Cup in 2025.
Published on: 04/27/2024 – 8:11 p.m. Modified on: 04/27/2024 – 8:16 p.m.
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France was beaten for the thirteenth time in a row by England (42-21), who achieved their sixth Grand Slam in a row, Saturday April 27 during the fifth and final day of the Women’s Six Nations Tournament, ahead of a record attendance (28,023 spectators) for a women’s rugby match in France.
Trailing at half-time (35-14), Manae Feleu’s teammates spent the second period outnumbered, following the red card addressed to Assia Khalfaoui (43rd).
But this is not the only reason for the defeat. Clumsiness, hand mistakes, lost opportunities, an attempt refused by the video… The French women perhaps sinned by too much commitment, the desire to do well, and excitement too.
But we must not overlook the clinical efficiency of the English, who never let an opportunity to score pass when they found themselves in the French camp.
However, we saw some great things on the French side, with a lot of play, a strong defense, three-quarters who try and dare, forwards having regained their automatisms on the touchline.
But on Saturday in Chaban-Delmas, more was needed to beat the English, who struck a big blow 18 months before “their” World Cup in 2025.
After shooting first, from the 4th minute, the “Red Roses” quickly took the advantage in the score (14-0, 11th), carried by their powerful pack, led by captain Marlie Packer and despite everything heckled by the defense of the Bleues, who have made it their “identity”.
But the English are now also three-quarters of fire, encouraged by their new coach, New Zealander John Mitchell.
Back lines that should not be left too much space, like in the 24th minute, when Émilie Boulard, wanting to pass the ball to Gabrielle Vernier, had it intercepted by center Megan Jones.
But French women, too, have their X factor and it has a nickname that we want to sing: Gabrielle “Gaby” Vernier.
The pocket center, named best player of the 2023 Tournament and a little shy since the start of this 2024 edition, found the fault to flatten the first French try (17th).
Doubled by Marine Ménager
The second was at the conclusion of a French scrum, from which scrum half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, untenable, was able to send Marine Ménager behind the goal line (14-21, 27th).
Upon returning from the break, and while large black clouds reappeared above Bordeaux, the sky fell on the heads of Manae Feleu’s teammates.
Khalfaoui, who had already received a yellow card last weekend in Wales, picked up another, transformed into a red following a bunker.
“At 15 once morest 15, it’s already hard,” former second row Safi N’Diaye had warned AFP before the match, worried regarding the three yellow cards handed out to the Blues in Cardiff, but at 14, things had to turn around to the impossible mission.
The French women, however, continued to believe in it, to play quickly, camping in the opposing camp, pushing and pounding the English lines, until offering a double to Marine Ménager (35-21, 69th).
But it was too late, the English even drove home the point with a sixth try, and a double, from Matthews.
With AFP
