Six Nations 2023: The Blues look to end their tournament in style against the Welsh

After raiding the English Temple of Rugby, the Blues return home. A week after their impressive win at Twickenham (53-10), the France XV will conclude the 2023 edition of the Six Nations against Wales on Saturday, March 18 (3.45pm). The last spring outing before the summer warm-ups. And above all, a final test run on the Stade de France turf before starting “his” World Cup at home in early September against the formidable New Zealanders.

at the end “The fifth round of this tournament”As Blues general manager Rafael Ibanez found out, the French are still looking to raise their hand. But their defeat in Ireland in the second leg (19-32) and the Clover XV’s so-far unblemished run will see them hoping to blast England’s pride in Dublin as they hope to retain the title. “We have a tournament to finish well and still have our hands on the trophy, even if it’s not just up to us.Laurent Labit, the Tricolor offense coach, emphasized this week. It is a great pleasure to find our audience and we want to be in our dynamic. »

A message was sent to Antoine Dupont’s team-mates as soon as he left Eurostar on the second day of the clash: be careful not to focus too much on Ireland, distant rivals for the coronation, at the risk of forgetting the Leek XV. “We mustn’t pick the wrong opponent and beat Wales. We want to focus on our destiny, the rest is not up to us.Fabien Galtier insisted on Thursday.

The coach did not forget that time when his troops were lost in calculations. At the end of the 2021 Six Nations – where a much-improved success would have won the tournament – Scotland walked away from the Stade de France victorious, with the Blues still winning the match. “We tried to achieve more than winning and ended up losing the match”, summed up third lineman Gregory Aldrith. Wanting to do too much… an unfinished score that the France XV, who have since won the Grand Slam and beaten every major country in world rugby, are unwilling to interpret.

“This team has long martyred the French XV”

Especially against this Wales. Last weekend’s winners in Italy, captain Ken Owens’ team-mates failed to shake off the specter of the wooden spoon – which ‘rewards’ a team by losing every game in the tournament. Yet the Welsh remain mired in extra-sporting concerns: the professional futures of several executives are uncertain, weeks after the players threatened to strike ahead of the England game.

And if Warren Gatland’s team – remembered as a fireman on the bench in the autumn of 2022 – retained the backbone of those who won the Grand Slam in 2019 and 2012 under his leadership, the years passed and XV Leek fell. It seems unrelenting.

“The game of the French in England was fantastic”hailed the New Zealand technician on Thursday, stressing that he expected to see the Blues. “Obviously disappointed to lose in Dublin” They approached the Saturday meeting with a knife between their teeth.

To face them, the Welsh boss opted for the advantage of experience, a week after significantly rejuvenating his squad in Italy. So he recalled his grognards, such as second-row Alun Wyn Jones – 37 and seventeen Six Nations to his credit – or opener Dan Biggar (33). “The idea is to tell them, ‘Enjoy the moment and enjoy yourself’ by starting the boys who have been a great servant to Welsh rugby. For many of them this could be their last match in the tournament.Revealed Warren Gatland involved in revamping Leek XV ahead of World Cup… 2027

Even if the Blues are favored by the predictions, the tricolor staff expects the Dragons to arrive in Paris relaxed and without any pressure. “We mustn’t forget that the Welsh won the tournament two years ago and they could have gone for the Grand Slam but we took them out at the break. It’s not far, two years.”recalls Fabien Galtier, who admitted he had “Always impressed with this team that martyred the France XV for so long.”

After a final week of training before returning to their clubs for the Top 14 and European Cups, the French will “Put your feet on the ground”Gregory Aldreth said Wednesday. Instead of focusing on widening the gap – to win the tournament – “The aim is to build on our win like last weekend, to bring back the same intensity, to play like we did at Twickenham.”, continued the third line from La Rochelle. While we wait, together in the Stade de France dressing room, the possible white smoke from Ireland.