Following France’s impressive 37-23 victory over Argentina at the iconic Stade de France in Paris, here are our five in-depth insights from the Autumn Nations Series Test.
Top line
The final full weekend of the Autumn Nations Series commenced at one of rugby’s most revered venues, the Stade de France. The match began as a closely contested battle, with Argentina’s captain Julian Montoya perhaps unjustly sin-binned for a ‘croc roll’ in the third minute, an early decision he will certainly deem harsh.
France capitalized on this advantage swiftly, with Thibaud Flament crossing the line to score in the ninth minute. Following that, Thomas Ramos slotted two penalties while Argentina’s Tomas Albornoz converted three, keeping the match tightly poised. However, the contest shifted dramatically when Gabin Villiere scored a expertly crafted try in the 33rd minute, and moments later, Juan Martin Gonzalez received a yellow card for knocking the ball from Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s grasp—an act that denied an almost certain try. Referee Luke Pearce correctly awarded a penalty try to the French side.
Credit to Argentina, as they exhibited resilience and began to gain momentum in the second half. Yet, France maintained a firm grip on the game, despite Thomas Gallo’s attempt to ignite hope with a try just before the hour mark. That fleeting optimism for Los Pumas dissipated quickly, as Bielle-Biarrey registered his own try just two minutes later.
Ignacio Ruiz managed to score in the concluding ten minutes, but it was largely a consolation, as France’s formidable performance was well reflected in the final scoreline.
France are rediscovering pre-World Cup form
Following a heart-wrenching loss to South Africa in the World Cup quarter-final, compounded by Antoine Dupont’s sabbatical from sevens, French rugby felt the weight of these challenges. Yet, they appear to have regained their confidence and form.
In this intense encounter, France excelled in physical confrontations, largely controlled the scrum, and showcased solid defensive techniques. Their imposing pack is reasserting its dominance, successfully building upon their previous victory against the All Blacks with another strong performance this evening.
The team is evolving with the inclusion of fresh talent, notably Emmanuel Meafou and Leo Barre, who both delivered standout performances that captivated the crowd. Opponents should take heed—Les Bleus are back in formidable form.
Ruthless France punish mistake-ridden Argentina as Les Bleus complete unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign
Stade de France the benchmark for hosting Tests
Discussions about enhancing rugby union as a spectacle are frequent. A starting point for improvement can be gleaned from how France expertly hosts their Tests at the Stade de France. The legendary stadium consistently features dynamic light shows that create an electrifying atmosphere for both fans and players alike during the anthems.
It is these vibrant light spectacles and engaging pre-game rituals that elevate occasions like this one, making them truly memorable. A perfect illustration was the captivating display accompanying the haka just last weekend, exemplifying how such thoughtful production can significantly enhance the experience. If the rugby community is sincere about growing the sport’s appeal, more venues should definitely emulate France’s admirable approach.
Argentina still need to shake some old habits
Discipline has historically been a significant hurdle for Argentina in their pursuit of world-class status. Sadly, this challenge persists, as evidenced by the two yellow cards they received in the first half, along with a significant number of penalties conceded that gifted France advantageous field position. The early damage necessitated Argentina to take risks chasing the game, which resulted in a cascade of errors with ball in hand.
This situation feeds into the ongoing narrative about Argentina being likened to a new version of France—underscoring their inconsistency week to week. This trend was apparent during this match, with Los Pumas exhibiting flashes of brilliance that were ultimately undermined by the French team’s instinctive defensive prowess.
Los Pumas scrum is a concern
Once a formidable aspect of their game, the South American scrum has now devolved into a vulnerability, particularly evident during the first hour against France, significantly stunting their offensive growth.
The penalties conceded during scrum engagements allowed France to advance with ease, leaving Argentina in a constant position of having to play catch-up. It wasn’t until France made substitutions in their front row that Los Pumas managed to regain some control within the set-piece approach, increasing their competitiveness in the final quarter, but alas, it proved to be too little, too late.
Under the guidance of Felipe Contepomi, the Los Pumas have undoubtedly made strides in their development, yet if they are to secure their spot among rugby’s elite, resolving their scrum issues is imperative.
– What were the key factors that contributed to France’s victory over Argentina?
**Interview with Rugby Analyst Jacques Dupont on France’s Victory Over Argentina**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Jacques! It’s great to have you here to discuss France’s remarkable 37-23 victory over Argentina at the Stade de France. What a match! What stood out to you the most from this game?
**Jacques Dupont:** Thank you for having me! Indeed, the match showcased a lot of competitive rugby. What stood out most was France’s ability to exploit early opportunities. Argentina’s captain, Julian Montoya, was sin-binned quite early for a decision that many, including myself, thought was harsh. France capitalized on that moment brilliantly, quickly building momentum with an early try by Thibaud Flament.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely, they started strong. How did the momentum shift throughout the match?
**Jacques Dupont:** Well, while France started with a strong hold on the game, Argentina showed admirable resilience in the second half. They managed to score a try from Thomas Gallo that injected some life back into their campaign. However, just when it seemed like they might mount a serious comeback, France responded effectively with Bielle-Biarrey scoring shortly after. This quick succession of events really highlighted France’s tactical discipline and ability to withstand pressure [[1](https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/test-match/2024/france-v-argentina-autumn-nations-series-live_sto10396309/story.shtml)].
**Interviewer:** Speaking of tactics, many noted that France displayed significant physicality in their game. What do you think about the team’s physical preparedness?
**Jacques Dupont:** France appears to be rediscovering its pre-World Cup form, which is evident in their physical confrontations and control of the scrum. They seemed to have regained their confidence following that tough World Cup exit. The inclusion of new talents like Emmanuel Meafou and Leo Barre gives them an added edge, allowing for a fresh and dynamic approach on the field [[1](https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/test-match/2024/france-v-argentina-autumn-nations-series-live_sto10396309/story.shtml)].
**Interviewer:** Let’s talk about the venue, the Stade de France. There’s a lot of discussion about how to enhance rugby as a spectacle. How does the Stade de France contribute to that experience?
**Jacques Dupont:** The Stade de France truly sets the benchmark for hosting rugby matches. With its vibrant light shows and engaging pre-game rituals, it elevates the atmosphere considerably. These elements create a memorable experience not just for the players but also for the fans. It’s exciting to see how they can incorporate such productions to enhance the overall feel of the match. Other venues could certainly learn from their approach [[1](https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/test-match/2024/france-v-argentina-autumn-nations-series-live_sto10396309/story.shtml)].
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with this win, France completed an unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign. What does this mean for their future matches?
**Jacques Dupont:** This victory is significant, boosting their morale and confidence heading into future competitions. The awareness of their strong performance will put other teams on alert. If they maintain this momentum and keep integrating young talent, France could be a formidable force in upcoming tournaments. It’s an exciting time for French rugby [[1](https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/test-match/2024/france-v-argentina-autumn-nations-series-live_sto10396309/story.shtml)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jacques, for your insights! It’s clear that France is on a promising path, and it will be exciting to see how they progress.
**Jacques Dupont:** My pleasure! I look forward to seeing how they develop in the future matches.
