The day after the French victory, the foreign press was full of praise for Fabien Galthié's men. Convincing against Argentina, the XV of France ends its tour undefeated, in the wake of Louis Bielle-Biarrey who continues to impress internationally.
Three matches, three victories and successful performances: this is what the French team comes away with when it comes time to take stock of this autumn tour. Against Argentina, the French XV started perfectly, playing a dreamlike first forty minutes with a 21-point advantage. A convincing 37-23 victory against the Pumas in great form recently, and now these Blues are looking like scarecrows as the next Tournament approaches: “France disposed of Argentina without too much difficulty to complete their perfect tour. Six days after beating the New Zealanders, Fabien Galthié's team was never really in difficulty against the Pumas. The XV of France will now present itself at the 6 Nations with the label of favorite”according to the English of Guardian.
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An opinion shared by many media, who see this tour as the symbol of French Rugby healed from the disillusionment of the last World Cup. In the columns of Planet Rugby, a South African newspaper, this team guided by Antoine Dupont makes people tremble again: “The heartbreak of the last World Cup, coupled with the departure of Dupont with France 7, had a considerable impact on French rugby which has finally found itself again. Newly dominant in the impacts, the Blues were able to confirm their great victory against to the All Blacks, in the wake of newcomers Emmanuel Meafou and Léo Barré, the French XV is once again radiant, and ready to regain control.”
The brilliant Bielle-Biarrey
If this French team convinces again, it has also found a new “serial marker”: Louis Bielle-Biarrey. With four tries in three matches, the winger showed his speed, even being flashed at 35 km/h against New Zealand. Against the Pumas, again for the Bordeaux winger who dropped everyone on the last French try. Still traumatized by his achievement last weekend, the New Zealand press can only bow to his performances: “While Argentina came back better than the Blues in the second half, the latter were able to count on the brilliant Bielle-Biarrey. The winger transformed himself into a real X factor this fall, thanks to his incredible speed.”
In Ireland too, the UBB player impresses. A few weeks before a Tournament that the XV of Clover intends to win, the tricolor helmet is as frightening as it is challenging: “The little hope of the Pumas was crushed by the Bielle-Biarrey lightning. With his fourth try of the tour, the winger once again showed that he was going at the speed of light, receiving his own kick to follow in the Argentine defense.”
A “biased arbitration”
If the French victory is generally uncontroversial, there is one place where the referee's performance was not convincing. In South America, the pill is hard to swallow for Argentinians who vehemently criticize Luke Pearce's decisions during the first period: “The dream start of the French was enough to frustrate Argentina. The two video referees showed the biased refereeing of Luke Pearce, because on two occasions the Blues scored while the Pumas were reduced to 14”, can we read in the columns of Americas Rugby News. Decisions which nevertheless seemed logical, as the actions of Montoya and Gonzalez Samso were reprehensible. Now looking towards the next 6 Nations, the French XV can build on this autumn tour to lift a trophy again, three years after the last.
France
