It feels like a Six Nations triumph has been a long time coming for the French. Transformed under the guidance of Fabien Galthié, Les Bleus have been one of the favourites to win the tournament for the last couple of years but for one reason or another, they have just never seemed to get over the line and been able to bring the trophy back to Paris for the first time in over a decade.
Being beaten to the title by England on the basis of points difference in 2020 would have been a bitter pill to swallow for the French, but they blew a massive chance again during last year’s behind-closed-doors tournament. Defeat to England at Twickenham meant they needed to beat Scotland by 21 points or more in their rearranged third round match in Paris. However, Gregor Townsend’s men won 27-23 to gift the Welsh a shock Six Nations victory.
Backed by the sports betting exchange to put things right this year, France have come out of the blocks firing in the first couple of gameweeks — almost like they have a vengeance after letting the trophy slip from their grasps over the course of the last two renewals. A home tie against Italy was the perfect opportunity to get their tournament off to a winning start and help build some confidence and momentum ahead of a crucial tie with Ireland — arguably their main title contenders — in Paris.
Unbeaten in nine games, many claimed Andy Farrell’s men had a great chance of ending their own four-year Six Nations drought this year, but the hosts were impressive in an emphatic 30-24 triumph over the boys in green and they must surely fancy their chances of not only winning the Six Nations for the first time since 2010, but completing the Grand Slam as well.
France’s next two games may be on the road, but they will more than fancy their chances against both Scotland at Murrayfield and Wales in Cardiff. Townsend’s men were once again unable to capitalise on their Calcutta Cup victory over England, losing away to Wales and the French shouldn’t run into the same difficulties Eddie Jones’ side did when they went to Edinburgh on the opening weekend.
Then it’s a quick turnaround to the Wales game. The defending champions were brushed aside by the Irish at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, in a defeat that was very much expected. The win over Scotland seems to have merely papered over the cracks, with their issues well documented, and even the boisterous Welsh supporters at the Principality Stadium shouldn’t be able to sway this game in the hosts’ favour.
That leaves an interesting final match against England at the Stade de France. It’s hard to really gauge what to expect from Jones’ men at this stage, since they lost to Scotland and expectedly beat Italy. If they can find a bit of momentum in their back-to-back home games against Wales and Ireland, then by no means is this Paris matchup a foregone conclusion — which could dramatically blow the Six Nations wide open right at the death.
Still, at this very early stage, it looks like Les Bleus already have one hand on the trophy, it’s a matter of whether or not they have the mindset to see it out this time!
