The road to the Grand Slam goes through Edinburgh. The French women's XV is aiming for a second consecutive victory in the Six Nations Tournament, after its inaugural success against Italy (38-17). This Saturday (3:15 p.m., live on France 2), it's time for the Scots, victorious in the opening match against Wales (20-18) last weekend.
A Scottish team of which the French, renewed from the first match (only one change) are wary. Largely unbalanced in recent years (the French and English being well above the rest), the level of the women's Six Nations seems to be tightening up a little.
“There is a development in the good direction of all nations,” believes David Ortiz, one of the coaches of the XV of France. A bit like their men's team, Scotland play a lot. They pose a lot of threats, especially on the outside. It’s a bit like our desire to bring play.”
“The Scottish women have the same type of game as the Irish, but individually their level is a little higher,” adds Les Bleues fullback, Émilie Boulard. They have wingers who go at 10,000 per hour, they use the kicking game well, they have very, very impactful girls. It's going to be a real challenge for three quarters of us to defend and not get passed. »
Romain Teulet's advice for kicking
This promises to be a great spectacle, especially since the Blues tend to want to try a lot – logically with a lot of waste – and to set the pace. But the weather could also dampen enthusiasm. “The weather conditions are changeable, we are ready for anything,” explains Gaëlle Mignot, the coach. We're going to spend 20 minutes from the start which will be tough. We expect a big match, a big fight. »
The kicking game, in these conditions, could be useful. This is good, the Blues worked on it this week, with the reinforcement of a specialist, Romain Teulet, former top scorer in the Top 14. “The kicking game requires daily work,” explains Gaëlle Mignot. Romain already works with the girls throughout the year, with their clubs. He will also return to the end of the Tournament. »
“It’s great to have him, we don’t usually have the opportunity to do a lot of footwork sessions,” says Émilie Boulard. Among the women, too, the kicking game becomes very important. Romain brings us a lot, with him we only focus on the footwork. It's very beneficial for us, he gives us a lot of advice and techniques. This is important for tactics and match management. »
The French women's XV against Scotland
Boulard - Arbey, Kondé, Vernier, M. Ménager - (o) Queyroi, (m) Bourdon Sansus - Hermet, R. Ménager, Berthoumieu - Fall, Feleu (cap.) - Khalfaoui, Sochat, Deshaye.
Substitutes: Bigot, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Escudero, Gros, Chambon, Tuy, Bourgeois.