Matthieu Jalibert scored his group’s 5th shot versus Italy – Getty Images/Cameron Spencer
Antoine that? Without amulet Dupont, and also requiring a win to advance to the quarter-finals, France placed Italy to the sword to establish a slobber-knocker of a ko clash versus among Ireland, South Africa or Scotland next Sunday in Paris.
In the meantime, France wait for process at the Stade de France on Saturday to find their challengers, however their very own destiny up of Swimming pool A is currently guaranteed hereafter eight-try success. On a cozy autumnal evening in Lyon, alternate captain Charles Ollivon and also stand-in scrum-half Maxime Lucu, Basque bros in arms, left to a rowdy second-half function having actually attained their twin goal: to safeguard France’s risk-free flow to the quarter-finals and also to reduce for Dupont’s lack, with the captain functioning in the direction of a last-eight return.
Yet what to make from sorry Italy? One of the most talented Azzurri side in a generation, and also background will certainly remember their third-place surface in Swimming pool A, however the whats and also whys of the previous 7 days ought to be nabbed up in France and also entrusted to rot in a Lyon avoid; 156 factors acknowledged and also simply 24 racked up. After current assurance, the Italian desire was annihilated in the area of a week. Simply the singular try out Friday evening, as well, a late initiative from Manuel Zuliani after an earlier rating was liquid chalked off for a suspicious clear-out by Simone Ferrari. It looked soft however, despite, the loosehead remained in at the side. When points break you, they actually do.
There have actually been numerous stimulating performances of La Marseillaise via the record however the pre-match recital right here took care of to scale brand-new elevations. Exactly how could France, buoyed by such ferocity, not start with function, with their Globe Mug on the line? Ollivon contributed; so, as well, the massive Grégory Alldritt. After motley stages, Cyril Baille and also Cameron Woki incorporated wonderfully, Matthieu Jalibert maintained the action active, and also Thomas Ramos placed Damian Penaud away down the left. The excellent beginning.
Damian Penaud provides France a very early lead – Getty Images/David Rogers
When France click via the equipments, their backs are wondrous. Penaud was …
