L'Ecosse se prépare à un retour de bâton des Bleus
Les Bleus se rendent à Édimbourg après une cuisante défaite 17-38 à domicile contre l’Irlande, plus que jamais favorite du Tournoi des Six Nations et du Grand Chelem.
Cette défaite fait suite à celle subie en quarts de finale de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 face à l’Afrique du Sud. Les Bleus doivent maintenant se mesurer à Murrayfield, où l’histoire récente ne leur est pas favorable.
L’Ecosse en maître chez elle
L’Écosse a remporté trois des quatre derniers matchs du Tournoi des Six Nations à domicile contre la France, et elle vient de remporter sa première victoire contre le Pays de Galles à Cardiff depuis 22 ans.
Le match ne s’est peut-être pas déroulé exactement comme prévu, le Pays de Galles ayant marqué 26 points sans riposte pour menacer de réaliser la plus grande remontée de l’histoire du Tournoi des Six Nations.
Mais l’Écosse a réussi à s’imposer 27-26, mettant ainsi fin à une série de 11 défaites consécutives dans la capitale galloise.
« Nous sommes très heureux d’avoir gagné, mais il y a encore des choses que nous devons corriger si nous voulons continuer à progresser », a déclaré Huw Jones, le trois-quarts centre de Glasgow.
« C’est une excellente occasion d’apprendre de nos erreurs, car on se sent toujours mieux quand on a gagné. Nous pouvons profiter de cette dynamique pour le week-end prochain.
« Nous attendons une réaction de la part de la France et de nous-mêmes. Nous avons regardé leur match et l’Irlande a très bien fait son travail.
« Nous devons continuer à jouer et à gérer tout ce qu’ils nous envoient. Nous voulons avancer. »
Un défi totalement différent pour Townsend
L’Écosse devrait pouvoir compter sur son co-capitaine Rory Darge, qui a manqué le match contre le Pays de Galles en raison d’une blessure au genou, tandis que le deuxième-ligne Grant Gilchrist a purgé la suspension d’une semaine qui l’avait écarté le week-end dernier.
De quoi rassurer Gregor Townsend, le sélectionneur de l’Écosse, qui cherche à pallier les absences du deuxième-ligne Richie Gray (biceps) et du troisième-ligne Luke Crosbie (épaule), tous deux blessés au Principality Stadium.
Townsend anticipe : « Nous savons que le week-end prochain présentera un défi totalement différent.
« Une équipe qui a été l’une des meilleures au monde pendant un certain nombre d’années et qui sort d’une défaite sera donc une grande menace pour nous et nous devrons être meilleurs.
« Il faut se remettre en question et si l’on parvient à bien faire les choses et à pénétrer dans les 22 mètres adverses, les occasions se présenteront, surtout avec les joueurs dont nous disposons.
« Si on arrive à mettre le ballon plus souvent dans les mains de Finn (Finn Russell), des joueurs qui sont autour de lui en profiteront, comme ça quand on aura des un contre un et de l’espace pour attaquer, on arrivera à passer derrière la défense.
« En deuxième mi-temps (à Cardiff), nous n’avons tout simplement pas eu assez de ballon. Nous n’avons pratiquement pas eu le ballon jusqu’à la fin du match. »
Comments on RugbyPass
Got a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
1 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
119 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
34 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
34 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
119 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to comments