“A historic game.” This is how David Ortiz, co-coach of Les Bleues, described the meeting at a press conference on Thursday. The French team has the opportunity to win the Tournament and achieve a Grand Slam this Saturday (2 p.m.) on behalf of the last day of the competition. But to dream of a 7th title and a 6th Grand Slam since their integration in 2002, the teammates of Jessy Trémoulière – who is playing his last international meeting – will have to get rid of the eternal English favorites.
With only one defeat in 35 games, the reigning vice-world champions have won 13 titles including 11 Grand Slams in the most famous of European competitions. And since 1991, it must be said that the XV of the Rose is the black beast of the Blue. In 38 confrontations, the latter have won only nine meetings for a draw. But David Ortiz, the co-selector of the Habs wants to reset the counters. “We’re not talking about dynamics, because it’s a new story that we started writing a month ago.”
This Saturday, Twickenham will welcome nearly 55,000 people. A record for a women’s rugby match. As a reminder, during the victory of the New Zealand team on home soil during the last World Cup against the English, more than 40,000 people were in the stands. But Jessy Trémoulière, the opening half of the France team, knows that the Bleues have the means to compete. “The past is the past. Now it’s a blank page. You have to give 100% and then the result will be what it will be. I visualize this match in the most beautiful way. There should be no pressure. The English are like us, we do not have to envy them and vice versa.
Same observation for David Ortiz, who detailed the week of preparation for the France team. “There was no higher tension. It is important to approach this match like the previous ones. It is the construction of our match that takes precedence above all, we will focus on ourselves, live the event by being as much of an actor as possible. Despite a difficult start during the first day against Italy (12-22), the blue machine then crushed everything in its path. And Ireland (3-53), Scotland (55-0) and Wales (39-14) paid the price. Led by a new staff – made up of Gaëlle Mignot, David Ortiz but also Sylvain Mirande, the three-quarter coach and despite a rejuvenated group – the French team continues to perform.
Jessy Trémoulière knows the recipe for beating England. The Auvergnate was also present during the last French victory against the XV de la Rose (18-17) in 2018 and had scored the victorious try which had allowed the Bleues to win the Tournament. “We will have to be solid on the defensive sector. If we put a lot of pressure, we adjust certain details and that on a breakthrough we score, it can do it. It will be played on small details and we hope in our favor, ”she explains.
But once again, the teammates of Marlie Packer, the English captain, are favorites. With 233 points over the four days of the competition, an average of 58 points for only 15 points conceded, the XV de la Rose is slowly advancing towards a new title. But facing one of the only, if not the only team that can compete against them, England is suspicious like Packer. “We are focused on doing the best possible performance. We are aware that the French team has made a lot of progress during this Tournament. France are an excellent team.” Like the overwhelming victory of the men a few months ago at Twickenham (10-53), the Blues are ready to ignite the temple of world rugby.
