France – Argentina. The Blues notes: Thomas Ramos again and again, Charles Ollivon back

We, at times, found Léo Barré from the 2024 Tournament. From the outset, the Parisian appeared on his feet with good coverage. Sharp on his first balls, he is credited with a nice breakthrough in which he erases three defenders and he nicely serves Gabin Villière with a pass after contact in the defense on the second French try. But he was regularly heckled in the aerial game and experienced a bit of waste in execution. Like his backline partners, he had less opportunity to showcase himself in the second half. Replaced by Nolann Le Garrec (62nd).

The winger immediately showed character and precision on essentially defensive tasks (aerial balls, covering), which gave him confidence. Offensively, he let loose and managed to create some differences until finding his way to the goal with a nice serve from Léo Barré. In the second half, he held on well, finishing 9/10 in tackles.

The center generally responded. He was quite fair in his interventions – like on this kick to follow which made it 50-22 at the origin of the first try – and he was quite threatening when he navigated with the ball in hand. In defense, he was effective before, something unusual for him, exploding on impact on Mateo Carreras, in the action initiating Argentina's first try. Replaced by Emilien Gailleton (72nd)who was refused a good solo attempt.

The Girondin is slow to fully convince. If, in defense, he raised the cursor compared to the copy given against the Blacks (7/8), he remains too timid with ball in hand: his interventions lack sharpness and he too rarely focuses the defense on his passing game . To his discredit, a penalty for losing support in a ruck.

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 7/10

The former Grenoblois brilliantly concluded a very high-level tour with his fourth try of the month. Threatening every time he had the ball in his hands, he once again showed his burst of speed on a kicking play following a ball recovery. He also caused a penalty try on a chase play. For the rest, his commitment is to be welcomed with some convincing defensive returns.

10. Thomas Ramos: 7.5/10

The opener completed his tour with a new, most convincing performance. Irreproachable against the poles, the Toulouse player was inspired in his handling of the game, his understanding with Dupont being magnified by their duettist number at the foot which led to the penalty try. Rather calm under the high balls, he missed a return by a few centimeters, which no one will hold against him. It is more than ever essential in Blue, whether in 10 or 15.

9. Antoine Dupont : 6/10

The captain wanted to play and it showed from his first ball which he dangerously tried to throw. If all his initiatives were not crowned with success, with some sins of gluttony, he managed to find intervals (three defenders beaten, two passes after contact). And when this was not the case, his animation around the rucks allowed his forwards to find progress. He switched to the opening after the hour mark.

8. Charles Ollivon : 7.5/10

He took a little time to get into his match, missing his first tackle against Oviedo. Discreet for 20 minutes and even if he lost another ball in the lineout after half an hour of play, he worked for the collective. He was one of the most active in defense. He finished the match as the best French tackler (19 for just one miss). He also stole a precious ball from the Argentinian lineup (45^e) and was at the origin of Louis Bielle-Biarrey's try by countering a play at the foot of Argentinian scrum-half Bazan Velez (58^e).

7. Paul Boudehent : 6/10

A useless gesture on Matera which forced the referee of the match to return a penalty obtained on a closed scrum by the Blues 5 meters from the line (8^e). A good defense on Oviedo who finished in the in-goal but kept on his back by the La Rochelle flanker (14^e). Above all, he was the most prominent forward with ball in hand with 28 meters covered in the first half. He was replaced at half-time by Marko Gazzotti.

6. François Cros: 7/10

In shadow work, it is still just as valuable. Often the first to provide support in combat zones on the ground, he was a perfect piston, providing a link between the forwards and three-quarters. Ball in hand, he won his duels: two defenders beaten. And he is still present at the end of the match to win a valuable contest (77th). A clean and smart match.

5. Emmanuel News : 6/10

A slightly weak clearing on Matera who scratches a French ball (26^e), but a winning contest a little later (36^e). It is he who actually scratches the ball at the height of the French 40 meter line which brings the action concluded by the penalty try for a voluntary forward from Gonzalez. He was often requested. Often with efficiency, sometimes a little less. He was replaced by Mickaël Guillard at 51^e minute.

4. Thibaud Flament: 6/10

A forward on a French highlight at the start of the match (6^e), quickly caught up with a try (10^e) on which it does all the work. First a good ball catch in the middle of the lineup then a relay to open the scoring. A match with a bit of waste but as always a lot of activity. Two missed tackles at his rate. He was replaced by Alexandre Roumat (61^e).

3. Antonius win : 6,5/10

He started with a first big tackle (3^e) and a good charge (6^e). He then forgot a little on a ground defense in the alignment (17th) opening an avenue for the Argentinians. Without consequence. Overall, for a resumption match, he produced the expected match, bringing stability in the closed scrum and density in midfield. He was replaced by George-Henri Colombe.

2. Peato Mauvaka : 6/10

A lost throw (29^e) on Flament, two missed tackles in the first half, another in the second half, he was more discreet than in the first two matches. Maybe he was a little worn out after his two previous performances. He was not required to play this time in the third line. He was replaced at 51^e minute by Julien Marchand.

1. Jean-Baptiste Gros: (not rated)

He unfortunately left the pitch very quickly injured (4^e). He was replaced by Reda Wardi (7/10). In closed melee, he quickly gained the upper hand over Sclavi. He even gets a penalty which offers three points to Ramos (23^e). At the start of the second half, the trend reversed a little. He was sanctioned (43^e) once. But, he had a big game in the activity. In particular, he touched a lot of balls with five passes and two defenders beaten.