France-Scotland (35-16): Victorious in the Six Nations Tournament, the Blues reign again over Europe

Bras raised, cries of joy, rather howls. The thrill that traveled the Blues has descended straight from the boosted stands, finally singing with full lungs. The XV of France was not grandiose, but it came out of this battle as much against itself as in front of the Scottish he dominated (35-16) this Saturday evening at the Stade de France. An XV of France winner of the Six Nations Tournament an odd year (with three trips), the first time since 2007, collecting from its audience “we are the champions” which do so much good.

Everything had been prepared for that. Even in the most small details. The protocol, the trophy, everything had been repeated in advance. And everything was gathered for that. One party evening, of course, when nothing could happen to these blues than a triumph in their garden in Saint-Denis. A lawn that has become a temple for a coronation, finally, the second in the Fabien Garthié era after the Grand Chelem 2022 and a litany of second places, four precisely (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) in the tournament the rest of the time. The crowd was there, ready for all follies. The show had been cut with a line.

Mauvaka, a happy yellow card

An entry of artists under a sound and light of the most beautiful effect. A horn player perched on the enclosure for the Scottish anthem, the moving Flower of Scotland. A suspended moment. Then La Marseillaise, vibrant. A grain of sand, however, came to slip on this lawn already smoothed like a red carpet. The Blues showed their muscles, but this time, unlike their two previous outings in Italy (24-73) and Ireland (27-42) where they were irresistible, their figures imagined on blackboard did not find an echo on the green rectangle.

Dominant but not convincing, the Tricolores underwent the pressure of the Scottish who nevertheless advanced almost floating in their faded jersey. As if there was a restraint. A doubt. While even arbitration seemed to be conciliatory. Peato Mauvaka’s headache in the face of the half of Ben White melee on the ground was not considered violent enough to deserve a red card (21st). Yellow was enough and Fabien Garthié will not complain this time. It is therefore on a mediocre performance and on a tight score (16-13) that these numb Blues reached the break.

Rain of records in Saint-Denis

Another moment of suspension. A mini-show. Louane, on a high -perched platform, unveiled the song she will sing during the final of the Eurovision competition on May 17. What to give wings to the tricolors? Not especially. But in this confused battle, the orphans of Antoine Dupont, their captain, who had wanted to be present on the replacement bench with his crutches despite his injury a week earlier in Ireland, a rupture of the crossed ligaments of the right knee which he will be operated soon, still had some beautiful assets.

Ten points ahead (23-13) and a release for the Blues. A red carpet unrolled for good. And another record broken, that of the greatest number of tests for a team in a tournament. The tricolors erase the English from 2001 and point to 30 achievements. This gives an idea of ​​the imprint left this year in competition and their superiority. With a regret. This large home that flees them, for some errors in England (26-25). The only false note.