the XV of France “is still in a position to win the Tournament”, launches Ghezal

Karim Ghezal, co-coach of the Blues. GAIZKA IROZ / AFP

The XV of France “is still in a position to win the Tournament“, launched Thursday evening Karim Ghezal, the co-coach of the Blues in charge of conquest and specific tasks, three days before facing Scotland, on behalf of the 3rd day. The French, sluggish winners of Italy (29-24) before falling in Ireland (32-19)receive Sunday (4:00 p.m.) at the Stade de France Scotland, which for its part beat England (29-23) then Wales (35-7).

If they are no longer able to achieve a second Grand Slam after the one obtained in 2022, the Blues occupy fourth place in the standings with five points, behind Irish and Scottish (10 points), and England (6 pts). “What we want is to be in a position to always win the Tournament. Today, we are still in a position to win (it), Ghezal said at a press conference. We saw it in 2020: the English came to lose with us and they won the Tournament. In 2021, we were in a position to win it in the last game.»

“All the teams are at an exceptional level”

That year, the Blues had lost the title in the Tournament, finally won by Wales, after being defeated by Scotland at the Stade de France (23-27) in a match shifted due to too many Covid-19 cases. “This Six Nations Tournament is exciting, with the offensive and defensive bonuses: all the teams are at an exceptional level and today, we are still in the race“, he added.

“And we, what we want is Sunday to still be in the race to win the Tournament, and still be against England (March 11 at Twickenham, editor’s note). And then there might be a goal average, maybe bonuses“, he launched. After Scotland on Sunday, France has an appointment in London, then it will receive Wales on the last day of the Tournament.