2023-10-07 23:12:10
Rugby World Cup 2023 in FrancefileClinical and applied, the XV of Clover did not tremble in the face of the Scottish threat (36-14). First in group B, he will face the All Blacks in the quarterfinals. The French XV will play the reigning South African champion.
Deafening “Zombie!” Zombie!” proclaimed by thousands of supporters dressed all in green. No doubt: the Clover XV, whose public has become accustomed to loudly repeating the Cranberries card like a hymn to joy after each victory, is more alive than ever in this World Cup. The Irish staff will still deplore the injuries to the two star wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe, the seriousness of which is unknown at this stage. For the rest, the essentials are assured. And too bad for the suspense: this real false round of 16 was settled in one half. Ruthless Irish Realism, four essays. 26-0 at the break. Curtain.
The “hen of death” has therefore delivered its verdict, and Scotland, although fifth in the World Rugby world rankings, leaves with its head bowed from a Stade de France which would have resembled the life-size replica of the Aviva Stadium. Dubliner. Could there be any other way out, given that the challenge facing the fifteen strong men led by Greg Townsend seemed like an almost impossible mission?
The feat was summed up as follows: for a clean and flawless qualification, Finn Russell’s gang had the obligation to win without leaving the slightest bonus to Ireland, world number one in the World Rugby rankings, which has not lost again since July 2022, i.e. 16 victories in a row. And, what’s more, remained on eight successes in the last eight direct confrontations against Scotland, with an average difference of 14 points.
Bad accounts
The pre-match postures on both sides were clear and summed up in three simple words: no calculations. So as not to bother with arithmetic, English technician Andy Farrell racked his brains to field a flawless XV. This meant removing hooker Ronan Kelleher from the field, whose throws had cost four hits in the first quarter of an hour of the clash against the Springboks. And, more surprisingly, the second row James Ryan, the other responsible for the sidelines against the Springboks, certainly not always judicious in his announcements, but the man traditionally has the confidence of his coach.
It’s difficult to touch on the rest, as the Irish present what is best in each position. And the 80 minutes that passed this Saturday will not counterbalance this truth. The three-quarter line in particular still gives as much satisfaction, with an infallible Sexton as playing master and Bundee Aki more than ever at the peak of his form. Opposite, a physical and tactical shipwreck. Even where Scotland excels, that is to say in the defensive sector, the team which tackles best since the start of the World Cup has failed. And very quickly: it took less than 120 seconds for Garry Ringrose to pierce the navy blue curtain and pass to James Lowe to flatten.
Despite the gap on the display screen, we can’t help but think that this Scotland had much better things to do this Saturday evening. Particularly at the very start of the match, when the countless and unusual opposing fouls (four penalties conceded in ten minutes) gave the Chardon XV golden opportunities to pick up the score, even to pass in front of Ireland and put pressure on the favorite. Shouldn’t we have, at this precise moment, ensured the three points each time, rather than trying to cross the goal at all costs and glimpse the hope of the offensive bonus?
All you had to do was watch the green bloc thwart the South African surges two weeks earlier, themselves defeaters of the Scots before, to quickly integrate the idea that flattening four times against this 2023 Irish vintage was part of the complete utopia. As much as it was clear, it is true that this Scotland version of Greg Townsend, known and recognized for its very offensive rugby, therefore risky, was certainly not going to have fun modifying its DNA in a context of imperative victory. But this approach should have allowed for a little more patience. Especially seeing how later in the match, Finn Russell’s teammates were able to take advantage of the rare Irish downtime in the second half to score the points. Two great tries in two minutes shortly after the hour mark. It was already far too late, with a final score of 36-14.
This success acquired without trembling propels the XV of Clover to the top of group B. Which means that the XV of France will battle against the reigning South African world champions for a place in the semi-final. The Irish will take on the New Zealanders in another prestigious confrontation. Ireland have never made it past the quarter-finals. She has never been as capable of doing this as today.
#Scotland #Ireland #continues #recital #challenge #Zealand #Libération