Always with their heart, and without forgetting their game, the French rugby team offered one last success of the calendar against the Argentine team (37-23), on Friday, November 22, in a once again packed Stade de France. Enough to end a particularly successful autumn tour of the Blues, winners of their three matches, against Japan (52-12), New Zealand (30-29) and now the Pumas.
The course is already set in the Six Nations tournament, which will begin on January 31 for the French XV, against Wales. With their sights set on a trip to Ireland, champion and only team that has defeated the French in 2024… with Argentina.
what to remember
Several Frenchmen could have claimed this title, especially among the rearguard. However, it is up to the 29-year-old Toulouse, who tirelessly and successfully pursues his goals: transforming the slightest ball into an opportunity and reaching the record of points with the French XV shirt, still held by Frédéric Michalak (436 units). Against the Pumas, the forward demonstrated his precision, while taking a big step towards the symbolic bar: he added fifteen points to his total, which now stands at 379.
“We only have thirty games left and it is the World Cup in Australia, we have to prepare.” declared Fabien Galthié at the TF1 microphone. The coach already has his sights set on the future, and he did not hesitate to rotate the squad during this autumn tour.
With his helmet bolted to a baby face, Louis Bielle-Biarrey never fails to impress under his blue tunic and over his brim. Without sparing any effort against the Pumas, the Bordeaux player finally managed to sneak into the Argentine platoon to score his tenth try with the French XV. All in just fourteen selections.
- The turning point of the match. The yellow card addressed to Julián Montoya.
Already affected by some physical problems, the blue team quickly suffered the loss of Jean-Baptiste Gros (4my), caught and thrown by Julián Montoya at the beginning of the game. If Pilar’s departure was not the fault of Fabien Galthié, the temporary exclusion of the Pumas captain greatly destabilized the Argentine team. Logically, the first French try followed, scored by Thibaud Flament (10my), and clear French domination.
A high-flying first half, a tougher fight in the second, but above all: game. This new duel against Argentina offered a festival of action, but too many errors in the scrums by the blues to go higher on our sporting rating scale. from “A” to “E”.