It took a long, very long wait to see the players of the XV of France arrive in the mixed zone after their success in the opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand (27-13). But the Blues had a good excuse. At the end of the meeting, they first received a presidential visit. That of Emmanuel Macron passing through the Blues locker room to congratulate them on this successful start.
According to some indiscretions, the President of the Republic would have drunk a beer again, three months after having sacrificed there in the same place in the company of the Toulouse residents freshly crowned champion of France “You can write that, confided the young man with a laugh third-line Paul Boudehent. The President had his little beer, dry as hell of course. He played the game. It was a good time, with a good atmosphere.”
After the President, it was the players of the French football team who, in turn, went to greet those of the French rugby team. Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann in the lead, but also Olivier Giroud, Theo Hernandez, Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, Aurélien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembélé. Blues who, the day before, had beaten Ireland (2-0) at the Parc des Princes.
Asked about this meeting, the scorer and full-back of the XV of France, Thomas Ramos, delighted in it. “I did not discuss with Mbappé (about my kicking game, editor’s note). I spoke more with Olivier Giroud, who is used to aerial play. It’s nice to also see the French team come to see us. Among us, there are big football fans but I don’t think they watch rugby a lot. So it’s nice for them to come from time to time.”
