The French XV finishes its autumn tests by facing Argentina, this Friday, December 22 at 9:10 p.m. on TF1 and streaming on TF1+.
After the shock against New Zealand, the poster could turn out to be less tough.
This is not the case, we explain to you why the shock against the Pumas is worth the detour?
A final test, riskier than it seems. This Friday, December 22, the French XV welcomes the Argentina Rugby team, the last meeting of a so far successful autumn tour for the Tricolores. But Juan Cruz Mallia and his teammates could have some surprises in store for the Blues, who are determined to end their year in style, after their success against the All Blacks. Here are three good reasons which explain why the Dupont gang cannot afford to take lightly this match which will be played at the Stade de France, and to be followed on TF1, TF1+ and live with commentary on TF1info.
Do not disappoint after a “founding” match
The 30-29 victory against the All Blacks was forcefully celebrated by the Blues, after a hasty end to the Rugby World Cup and a complicated 2024 Six Nations Tournament, where the French reached in the extremesto climb to 2nd place. But after this success, described as“important for the future” by Antoine Dupont after the match, the Blues cannot go back. “Winning matches like that is always important, founder”underlined the captain of the XV of France.
After the logical success against Japan (52 to 12) and the shock against New Zealand, the Blues will therefore be keen to end the year and this tour at the highest level. After this intense match, which highlighted the qualities of the Tricolores, but also their areas of progress, the meeting against the Pumas could make it possible to make the first corrections.
Prepare for the rest
This last international meeting of the French XV for the year 2024 represents a new stage, while Fabien Galthié and his men clearly have the next World Cup in mind. The coach had also assured before the four-week gathering in Marcoussis that this return to the CNR represented “an important moment for 2027“. In 2021, the success against the All Blacks had launched a long period of invincibility for the French XV, who had also won the Tournament that followed. Could this new victory against New Zealand announce as much? The meeting against the Pumas will in any case provide the first elements of an answer.
Pumas not to be underestimated
Facing the Tricolores, stand Argentinian rugby players who are having a record year, around Felipe Contepomi, their coach since December 2023. Before their journey in the northern hemisphere, they were launched by a surprising 2nd place during this edition of the Rugby Championship, a competition which sees Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina compete each year. They acquired this 2nd place by overthrowing the Springboks by one point (29-28), after winning in New Zealand (30-38) and crushing Australia (67-27).
Following this unexpected success, the Pumas confirmed against Italy, the first stop of their autumn tour. THE Azzurri were totally dominated by Argentines in full mastery, in all areas (18-50). And if they lost against the XV du Trèfle in Dublin (22-19), the team of Toulouse fullback Juan Cruz Mallia was not unworthy in raising the score during the 2nd half.
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Against the Blues, the Argentinians will also be able to count on the return of several executives, who contributed to the team's success during the Rugby Championship. The 3rd line of ASM Clermont, Marcos Kremer, as well as the Bayonne winger, Mateo Carreras, will be present, although on the bench. On the eve of facing the Pumas, the XV of France did not appear ignorant of the challenges of the next meeting. Antoine Dupont thus described his future adversaries as “real threat”emphasizing that it was a “team which puts a lot of intensity into its game and which has progressed in its offensive animation”. Despite the snow that is forecast, this meeting at the Stade de France should not put a damper on the ambitions of the Blues.
