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 stated.
“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 attempt scoring alternatives and made a number of unforced errors all through Le Crunch. The celebs that had been anticipated to shine so brightly after their efficiency in Paris in opposition to Wales final week light 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 appeared too desperate to assault, forcing the ball both with an bold kick or one cross too many.
Sure, even Antoine Dupont made errors.
In the long run, it price Le Bleus victory and noticed their Grand Slam hopes crumble at simply the second hurdle. This French “golden technology” might be judged in historical past by what number of titles they win. For the time being, their tally stands at only one, the Grand Slam in 2022, and a missed alternative at a house Rugby World Cup.
The situations had 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.
Nonetheless, 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 had been “conceited” at Twickenham, one thing he dismissed.
“No, in no way. It is not their fashion. They’re in no way an conceited workforce,” Galthié stated by means of a translator. “By some means 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 by means of their fingers.
“We’re an bold workforce; I feel we demonstrated this once more tonight. What’s necessary is the following steps” he stated by means of a translator. “After all we did not win however should not be targeted on the defeat tonight. However focus perhaps on the highlights what we did properly tonight as an alternative.”
There isn’t any doubt although that this end result will sting. Laborious.
Not less than twice they price themselves tries which, given England’s current observe document, may have buried them and ensured their campaign to go unbeaten this yr lived on. They got here up in opposition to an England workforce who in fact, fought to the bitter finish, however had been there for the taking.
The end result threw the competitors extensive 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 may come crashing again right down to earth.
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