The atmosphere is different. Unlike 2024, the fears and wear and tear linked to the 2023 World Cup seem to belong to the past. Among other things, this is what an article written by columnist Gavin Mortimer states in the media Rugby Pass. Within the latter, the English-speaking specialist in French rugby gives his assessment on the subject of the XV of France: “The comeback kings and the Champions Cup boost French morale for the 6 Nations Tournament”.
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As for the Champions Cup, the XXL performances of clubs like Union Bordeaux-Bègles or Stade Toulousain impressed across the Channel. In addition, the qualification of 12 Top 14 clubs for the final phase did not go unnoticed. A perceptible gap between the French teams and the others seems to have emerged this season.
In his article, the editorialist relies on a certain superstition. “If France […] wins the Six Nations Tournament, it will be with a team made up of the majority of the two most dominant clubs in Europe this season. Toulouse and Bordeaux annihilated all their opponents in the Champions Cup”, he declares bluntly. As a reminder, 50% of the players called to Marcoussis this week play either at Union Bordeaux-Bègles or at Stade Toulousain.
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For the “comeback kings”, several profiles are cited. First of all, the editorialist evokes a second youth for Rabah Slimani, who arrived in Leinster this summer. Having left ASM Clermont, the 35-year-old right pillar was recalled to Marcoussis to prepare the French XV for the 6 Nations Tournament. So, this return would be a boost for the Tricolores, but it is far from being the only one.
-Among others, he talks about the case of Pierre-Louis Barassi. If he has not worn the French XV jersey for several years, his future in Blue could take on new colors. The Stade Toulousain center is expected to start in the absence of Gaël Fickou. Impressed by the performances of the former Lyonnais in the Champions Cup, the foreign press highlighted the player's name.
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Moreover, Romain Ntamack should make his comeback this winter after a year and a half without having worn the XV of France jersey. In the paper, Gavin Mortimer relies on statements published in the French press and explains that the Stade Toulousain player has found a certain serenity. “Since the arrival of my son, I have arrived at matches with a real zest for life. Rugby is my passion, my job, but it's just a sport. We're here to have fun and to please people, and then we'll see what happens at the end. There are much more important things”, he confided to Olympic Midday.
Finally, the journalist affirms that the XV of France arrives with a dominant posture over most of his opponents in the 6 Nations Tournament. More specifically, he cites England and the fact that the Blues found the fault in their game. “The days when the English terrified their opponents are over. Today, the French are terrorizing England”, he says in his paper published on Rugby Pass.
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