Champagne rugby from France
By Pirate Irwin, 16 Mar 2010 Pirate Irwin is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- France Rugby, International Rugby, Italy Rugby, Rugby Union, Six Nations
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France stayed on course for their first Grand Slam since 2004 on Sunday as they outclassed Italy 46-20 in their Six Nations clash at the Stade de France.
France ran in six tries, including two by centre David Marty and one by Yannick Jauzion, which took him to over 100 points for his country, while Morgan Parra kicked 16 points as Italy scored two late tries.
Victory sets the French up for a Grand slam finale against old foes England at the Stade de France next Saturday.
France had wrapped up the match within 25 minutes as Imanol Harinordoquy and Marty ran in three tries, the latter a brace to celebrate his recall to the starting line-up.
Parra created the first for Harinordoquy, selling a dummy to the Italians and offloading to the Biarritz No8, who broke an Italian tackle to cross the line for his 12th try in his 60th test in what has been a stunning tournament for a player who has not always found favour with the present regime.
France’s task was made easier when centre Gonzalo Garcia was yellow-carded by no-nonsense Irish referee Alan Lewis for an illegal block on Marc Andreu when the wing was looking favourite to follow up his chip ahead and touch down.
Garcia, who suffered a bloodied nose for his trouble, will not have pleased coach Nick Mallett as it was the second time he has been sin-binned in this season’s tournament having seen yellow in the opener agaisnt Ireland.
The visitors were made to pay almost immediately as the French stole the ball from an Italian lineout and then saw Francolis Trinh-Duc’s long pass come to Marty, who bulldozed his way over the line after Gonzalo Canale missed a tackle – Parra converted to make it 17-0.
The Perpignan centre was then at the end of a brilliant attacking move started by a typical piece of flamboyance by fullback Clement Poitrenaud, who saw a gap and went for it, breaking a couple of tackles, and then passed to Harinordoquy, who timed his offload to Marty to go over in the corner – Parra failed to convert to leave the score at 22-0.
The Italians finally got on the scoreboard four minutes from the break when Mirco Bergamasco converted a penalty.
Parra and Bergamasco both landed early penalties in the second half to make it 25-6.
France ran in two more tries before the hour mark, first through Andreu, who belied his almost dwarf-like physique to beat Garcia’s attempted tackle to touch down.
Then he turned provider as he broke a couple of tackles in midfield and offloaded to Jauzion, who may be slower than when he won the Grand Slam in 2004 but still possesses enough power to run in from 25 metres out – Parra converted both to make it 39-6.
The replacements got into the action after that as Julien Malzieu made a great run into Italian territory and passed to Lapandry, who crossed over for the try – Parra converted for 46-6.
The Italians did at least show some fight towards the end as Carlos del Fava was at the end of a good move as the lock recorded his first try in 44 tests – Bergamasco converted for 46-13, while Pablo Canavosio also touched down with a fine individual effort to add to the one he scored against Scotland.
Bergamasco added the conversion to give the scoreline a somewhat flattering look for the visitors.
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Dublin Dave said | March 16th 2010 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
Champagne rugby? I don’t think so. More of a mid-market Chardonnay. But that’s been a step up in exuberance from the robust but uninspiring vin de table that France have served up for much of this campaign.
With one round of matches left, this has been a decidedly non-vintage Six Nations Championship. France are in pole position, almost certain to win the championship next Saturday and very likely to complete a Grand Slam. They have been the best team without doubt, but their merit has been measured in efficiency and clinical execution rather than the flamboyant brilliance that one associates with French teams playing at their most expressive.
Their best performance so far has been against Ireland, the reigning champions, whom they dispatched by 33 points to 10. They pressurised the Irish team into looking sluggish and incompetent and took their chances clinically. The sight of France in Paris closing out a game against Ireland by dropping goals instead of running in tries bespoke either a healthy new respect for an Irish team or a French side determined to achieve victory in the most grinding way possible. Or perhaps both.
France’s other performances have been uninspiring. Against Scotland and Wales they did just enough on both occasions to win. Against Wales in particular, they were horribly unambitious. Having picked up a few intercept tries, they lay on the ropes for the rest of the game and let Wales come at them. They were content just to bang the ball downfield to the Welsh fullback and let him take the initatitive. It nearly backfired on them. If it wasn’t for some horrendous Welsh execution at key moments–twice fluffing kicks to touch from penalties to set up lineouts close to the try line, France might have lost.
Wales have been the only team to introduce some excitement to this championship and it has largely been by default. Denuded of many of their best players through a combination of injury and suspension (for driving a golf buggy down a motorway while pissed out of his mind) they have tried to play a high risk game which has produced some fine finishes as they tried to come back from the dead. It nearly worked against France and England. It worked out memorably against Scotland. However, by the time they played Ireland last week, they were so understrength they couldn’t manage it another time.
Both Scotland and Italy have gone into this championship determined not to be humiliated and have tried to keep the margin of defeat down. Italy have been dour and defensive, Scotland even more so. The insipid 15-15 draw with England was one of the worst matches I have ever seen.
England have put their faith in the aging and failing Johnny Wilkinson and have got what they deserved. Wilkinson has now declined to the point where he is even missing eminently kickable shots at goal! Yes. It can happen! England have been stodgy and largely unthreatening this championship. Overcoming Wales, struggling to beat Italy, losing to Ireland and then stumbling to a turgid draw against Scotland.
If this championship is to redeem itself, it needs a classic match on the last day. There is a chance that this could be achieved by France producing a truly Champagne performance in Paris to clinch the Grand Slam. It’s spring, there’s a title for the taking, the place will be en fete, the English are not at their best, the brass bands are primed for a victory march.
But it could also be done by England overcoming the form book and beating France. Perhaps we don’t need an inevitable procession to a French Grand Slam. Although Ireland are mathematically in with a chance of overtaking France should England win, in reality it is not going to happen. The points gap is 50 and unlikely to narrow dramatically. But if, as looks likely, Wilkinson will miss the French match because of injury, a new out half (eg Toby Flood) and a backline eager to disprove some bitter criticism could make a fight of it and give the French a bit of a fright.
The Six Nations usually throws up one shock result and often on the last day. Grand Slams should be memorable, not inevitable. France have not been memorable this year. At least not yet. Maybe a plain old Championship win will do them this year.
Come on England!
Wavell Wakefield said | March 17th 2010 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
Happy St Patrick’s day, Dave.
pothale said | March 16th 2010 @ 11:49pm | Report comment
Agreed Dave.
We need a bit of flair and excitement and France to be under a little bit of pressure come the final match against England.
So Ireland need to put 30-35 points at least past the Scots. If they can manage three apiece against England and Wales, then a little bit extra against a flailing Scottish team should not be that difficult. At least that would close the points scored gap with France.
England, unfortunately due to the draw against Scotland, have nothing to play for but pride. But we need to see one barnstormer performance from the English this championship that reminds everyone that they are still to be counted. A win of any sort will do wonders for the England team, and will put a large hole below the waterline of the French. A repeat of last year’s match and scoreline would be amazing, but highly unlikely.
Hopefully Flood starts this weekend, and Flutey and Co start to make some inroads.
Roll on Super Saturday.
Oh and I really hope Italy do the unthinkable against the Welsh.