A little over a year from the 2023 World Cup organized in France (September 8 – October 28), the XV of France is gradually ticking all the boxes. First there was this resounding victory against the All-Blacks at the Stade de France last November (40-25), then this Six Nations Tournament won after a Grand Slam at the end of winter. And now, the Blues are on top of the world … even if they are not in possession of the Webb Ellis Cup. Indeed, the band of Antoine Dupont is preparing to climb, from Monday, on the first step of the world ranking of selections established by World Rugby for almost twenty years.
For this, several conditions had to coincide during the international matches of the summer off-season. First of all, France had to impose itself on Japanese soil. The Blues won the first test match 42-23 last Saturday before suffering a little more, a week later, with a 20-15 victory. But the XV of France did not have their destiny in hand to occupy, to the first time in its history, this planetary pole position. New Zealand and South Africa also needed to lose against Ireland and Wales. This was done thanks to the Irish (23-12) and Welsh (13-12) successes.
Consecutive win record
In the standings, France is ahead of Ireland by a short head with 89.41 points against 88.79 for its runner-up. South Africa completes the podium with 88.61 points, closely followed by New Zealand with 88.17 points. This first place in the ranking managed by the international body of the oval ball is all the more beautiful as it is accompanied by a record equaled for the French selection. With their double victory in the land of the rising sun, Fabien Galthié’s men have thus managed to chain ten consecutive successes this season.