With this clear improved success, the Tricolores have fulfilled their contract by temporarily climbing to first place in the ranking of this 2023 edition of the Six Nations Tournament. While waiting to find out, at the end of Ireland-England (6 p.m.), what will ultimately be their fate… Authors of five tries, excellent on the ground, disciplined, inspired in attack, Antoine Dupont’s teammates can also feed some regrets thinking back to their defeat in Dublin (19-32) on the second day.
Saturday afternoon at the Stade de France between two light showers, and despite a thunderous start to the match for the Welsh which saw their overpowering three-quarter center George North score a try from the 8th minute, they immediately replied with their winger Damian Penaud ( 10th, 7-7) at the conclusion of a driller number from the Dupont-Ntamack hinge.
What followed was a fine anthology of actions, some initiated by a raise for the great style try at the end of the wing by Jonathan Danty (34th), others inevitable near the Welsh in-goal in the image of the test of the immense pillar Uini Atonio (44th) in power, or sharp, as evidenced by the inspiration of Gaël Fickou (49th), decidedly in line with the great French centers.
With this test of the offensive bonus, the XV of France therefore temporarily rose to first place in the Six Nations Tournament, objective achieved, pending the result of the last match of this fifth day between Ireland, which is aiming for a Grand Slam, and England in search of redemption at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin after being humiliated at Twickenham by the Habs last Saturday (10-53).
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With his double, winger Damian Penaud becomes the fifth best scorer in the history of the XV of France, tied with Philippe Bernat-Salles and Emile Ntamack.
Wales, in the midst of an institutional crisis, did not stop playing all their attacking cards: substitute hooker Bradley Roberts planted, determined, his team’s second try (56th), Tomos Williams the third (65th) and it was finally Leigh Halfpenny who obtained, in extremis, a symbolic offensive bonus, testimony to the Welsh desire not to succumb other than with panache. In the meantime, Damien Penaud had entered blue history with his double (77th), just like Thomas Ramos and his faultless foot.
The fact: four Welsh tries for the honor
While trailing 34-7 in the 49th minute, the Welsh took advantage of a clear French relaxation to score two tries in quick succession: by their substitute hooker Roberts (56th) then their scrum half Tomos Williams (66th) to come back to 34-21. And win at the finish an offensive bonus, balm on their defeat.
84
With this total, the back and striker Thomas Ramos breaks the French record for points scored in an edition of the Tournament, four units more than Gérald Merceron (80 points in 2002)
The player: Thomas Ramos borders on perfection
As at Twickenham, last Saturday, the Toulouse back had a clear shot in the penalty shootout. Excellent at recovery, present in offensive support, decisive passer – as on Penaud’s test in the 77th – Thomas Ramos, now 25 selections on the clock, scored sixteen points for a seven out of seven which offered to the XV of France a comfortable lead when the Welsh, late in the game, came back to five tries to four.
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