Rugby: Les Bleus begin their preparation for the World Cup with a defeat in Scotland

The XV of France began Saturday its preparation for the World Cup at home with a narrow defeat in Scotland (25-21), almost a month before the opening match against the All Blacks. The Blues, largely reshuffled, led quietly in the first half (21-3) before collapsing, conceding three tries in the last 40 minutes against the Scots reduced to fourteen in the 55th minute. A defeat certainly, but a lot of lessons and grain to grind for the staff.

Brice Dulin (right), caught by Blair Kinghorn, during the France defeat against Scotland in a World Cup warm-up match. © AFP - ADRIAN DENNIS

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

It is a two-faced France team that came up against Scotland this Saturday, August 5. The XV of France, rejuvenated but imperial for 40 minutes, took the feet in the carpet, Saturday at Murrayfield (25-21), for its first match of preparation for the World Cup.

Three tries from scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud (12th), winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (25th) and second row Cameron Woki (40th+2) in the first half had given the Blues eighteen points ahead against sluggish Scots.

🏴🇫🇷 After a very good first half of our Blues, Scotland wins this preparation match after a suffocating 🥵

end of the match There will be a return match next Saturday in Saint-Étienne🔜🟢#ECOFRA #UnisPourUnRêve #NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/Bml8vn0big

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) August 5, 2023

But the XV of the Thistle is never as strong as when it is back to the wall. Pushed by a whole stadium, Finn Russell's teammates, reduced to fourteen after the yellow card turned red of pillar Zander Fagerson (55th), came back strong in the last 40 minutes, scoring three tries in turn by winger Darcy Graham (42nd), pillar Pierre Schoeman (54th) and hooker David Cherry (64th).

Three neophytes

But this meeting against the fifth world nation, with its almost typical team, had above all the air of a full-scale test. And in the end, the opportunity to draw some lessons for the men of Fabien Galthié, who had launched three neophytes.

Émilien Gailleton (20), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20) and Paul Boudehent (23) were not impressed. The first two, nicknamed "the electric scooters", made their speed speak while the third line of La Rochelle was valuable by its slaughter. Enough to give headaches to the staff of the Blues before the announcement, on August 21, of the list of 33 players summoned to participate in the World Cup (September 8-October 28).

In his fight for the position of scrum-half replacing the substitute, behind captain Antoine Dupont and his usual substitute Maxime Lucu, Lyon's Baptiste Couilloud, preponderant in two of the three tries scored in the first half, scored points in his duel with Toulon's Baptiste Serin.

A defeat but...

Pillar Demba Bamba, second line Cameron Woki, center Yoram Moefana and third line Yoan Tanga also stood out. Just like captain for a day Brice Dulin, who returned to the France team after two years of absence. Enough to upset the hierarchy? They still have three weeks and two games, against Scotland in a week at Saint-Etienne and Fiji on August 19 in Nantes, to earn their place alongside the usual managers.

One thing is certain: despite a second period a little less controlled, the Blues seem armed to go far in their World Cup, which they will start with a major shock against New Zealand on September 8. If there is still work, the mindset and desire are there. And too bad for the score.

NewsletterReceive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Share:

Read on on the same topics:

• Rugby
• Rugby World Cup 2023