France’s night was summed up completely, albeit jovially, by defence coach Shaun Edwards following a crushing 26-25 defeat to England on Saturday.
“We obtained the oopsies, did not we? Each time we obtained close to the tryline we appeared to only drop the ball,” Edwards mentioned.
“I’ve by no means seen that occur earlier than. The French lads are usually magnificent handlers of a rugby ball.”
“Ooopsies” is true, even when it makes gentle of the actual fact France bombed a number of strive scoring alternatives and made a number of unforced errors all through Le Crunch. The celebs that have been anticipated to shine so brightly after their efficiency in Paris towards Wales final week pale with each drop of the ball in London.
France completed with 27 dealing with errors on Saturday to England’s 12 and conceded 19 turnovers. Each side seemed too desirous to assault, forcing the ball both with an bold kick or one go too many.
Sure, even Antoine Dupont made errors.
In the long run, it value Le Bleus victory and noticed their Grand Slam hopes crumble at simply the second hurdle. This French “golden era” shall be judged in historical past by what number of titles they win. In the mean time, their tally stands at only one, the Grand Slam in 2022, and a missed alternative at a house Rugby World Cup.
The circumstances have been maybe a leveller, with a drizzle pouring over Twickenham all morning and afternoon. The highest sides although, adapt and stay composed. France wrestled with the greasy ball all night and it was finally their downfall.
Nevertheless, coach Fabien Galthié remained optimistic and resisted any urge to vent at his facet’s errors. He was requested by French media if his facet have been “conceited” at Twickenham, one thing he dismissed.
“No, by no means. It isn’t their model. They’re by no means an conceited staff,” Galthié mentioned via a translator. “In some way for varied causes, we did not rating sufficient given the alternatives we benefited from all through the sport.”
He was equally dismissive of the truth that one other Grand Slam has slipped via their fingers.
“We’re an bold staff; I feel we demonstrated this once more tonight. What’s necessary is the following steps” he mentioned via a translator. “In fact we did not win however should not be centered on the defeat tonight. However focus perhaps on the highlights what we did nicely tonight as a substitute.”
There isn’t any doubt although that this outcome will sting. Laborious.
No less than twice they value themselves tries which, given England’s current monitor report, may have buried them and ensured their campaign to go unbeaten this yr lived on. They got here up towards an England staff who after all, fought to the bitter finish, however have been there for the taking.
The outcome threw the competitors vast open, however after the excessive of a 43-0 win over Wales, serves as a reminder of how brutal the Six Nations could be and the way shortly you possibly can come crashing again all the way down to earth.
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