Three victories, one defeat, and a last game that could change everything... Can the French national team still hope to win this Six Nations Tournament?
This Saturday, March 11, 2023, cries of joy resounded throughout France, and for good reason: Les Bleus crushed the English in the Six Nations Tournament, with a final score of 10-53. The French XV was brilliant on the field, a great performance that was all the more welcome as it allowed the French to defeat their long-time enemy, the XV of the Rose.
This victory allowed the French team to gain many points for the overall ranking of this Tournament. But is it enough to allow us to still dream of a French victory this year?
Before knowing it, let's take a look at the provisional ranking of this competition. As of March 13, 2023, here are the scores:
- Ireland : 19 points: 4 games played - 4 wins - 0 losses - points difference : 66 - bonus : 3
- France : 15 points: 4 matches played - 3 wins - 1 loss - points difference : 46 - bonus : 3
- Scotland : 10 points: 4 games played - 2 wins - 2 losses - points difference : 8 - bonus : 2
- England: 10 points: 4 games played - 2 wins - 2 losses - points difference: -22 - bonus : 2
- Wales: 5 points: 4 games played - 1 wins - 3 losses - points difference: -50 - bonus : 1
- Italy : 1 point: 4 games played - 0 wins - 4 losses - points difference : -48 - bonus : 1
What do these numbers mean? At first sight, only four small points separate Ireland, leader of the ranking, from France. A gap that does not seem insurmountable.
But it is other data that should draw our attention. Ireland has a point difference of 66, 20 points more than France. And it is these numbers that are important. They synthesize all the points won or lost during the tournament (tries scored or taken, points conceded or scored, games won, bonuses...). Because it is not enough to win a match to dominate the competition: it is also necessary to score as many tries as possible (more than 4 in a match to have the offensive bonus) or to lose with the least possible difference (7 points difference or less for the defensive bonus).
We can therefore lose a match but still gain points, and on the contrary win a match but not gain a large number of points.
So how can the French team still win the tournament? To summarize,Ireland must lose their game against England... But not only.
On Saturday March 18, Les Bleus must try to win against Wales by scoring four or more tries. And Ireland must lose against England by scoring three tries or less, and losing by more than seven points, to avoid a defensive bonus. In this scenario, the French XV would win the Six Nations Tournament with 20 points, and Ireland would be just behind with 19 points. A somewhat unlikely scenario, but not impossible.
The last games of the competition are therefore decisive, in more ways than one. France must fight for a 27th victory in the Six Nations Tournament - if, of course, Ireland crashes out against England. For the Irish, this last match is also very important: a victory would allow them to clinch the
Grand Slam, and the Triple Crown ! Even in case of defeat, the Shamrock XV still has a chance to win this competition.
So don't miss these last matches full of suspense, which allow us to live a thrilling Tournament!
Six Nations Tournament 2024: where to watch France's match against Wales?
Six Nations Tournament 2024: where to watch France's match against Wales?
