On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the French rugby team, known as the XV de France, triumphed over Scotland with a decisive score of 35 to 16, clinching the 2025 Six Nations tournament. The atmosphere at the Stade de France was electrifying as fans rallied behind their team, eager to honor their injured captain, Antoine Dupont.
Dorian Aldegheri, one of the team's pillars, expressed the sentiment shared among the players, stating, "On avait tous à cœur de ramener pour lui quelque chose, ça nous a déchiré le cœur qu'il nous quitte comme ça". The players fought hard not just for victory but for their captain, showcasing their passionate determination.
The final match saw France face significant challenges, particularly during the first half, where the score was tightly contested at 16-13. France had to dig deep against a spirited Scottish team, led by their strong defensive tactics and resilience.
Moefana initiated the scoring frenzy with the first try for France, pushing the team to assertively claim their momentum. Louis Bielle-Biarrey later scored his eighth try of the tournament, equalling the historical record for tries set within the tournament's framework. Meanwhile, Thomas Ramos shone on the field, setting a new record for points scored by any player representing France, adding to the triumph of the night.
According to L'Équipe, the post-match headline read "Sacre Bleu," perfectly capturing the emotions of victory and celebration. Simultaneously, the regional newspaper Sud Ouest echoed similar sentiments with their cover titled, "Sacrés Bleus," highlighting the significance of the win, even if it fell short of achieving the coveted Grand Slam.
While the victory was undoubtedly sweet for France, the match was not without its controversies. Papers like The Sunday Times and the Daily Mail commenting on the officiation, particularly highlighting Peato Mauvaka's yellow card incident from the match. The Sunday Times labeled the decision surrounding Mauvaka's actions as "a farce" and posed serious questions about the consistency of decision-making within the sport, stating, "Le rugby professionnel... n’a pas su punir les fautes comme il le devrait." This criticism was echoed across various outlets, capturing the frustrations felt by fans and players alike.
The Edinburgh Evening News admitted, "la France méritait de gagner," but also delved deeply, discussing how officiation could have changed the game had appropriate actions been taken against Mauvaka. This overall critique not only muddied the waters of victory but also laid the groundwork for discussions surrounding refereeing standards, bringing to light any perceived bias against Scottish figures after the match.
Despite these high tensions between rugby and the refereeing community, the tournament is being heralded as one of the most exhilarating displays of skill, endurance, and flair by the French team. The independent British staff, writing for The Independent, noted, "Ce trophée a été durement gagné..." reflecting on how extraordinary match conditions, including challenging venues like Twickenham and Dublin, could have potentially depleted their squad's performance. They expressed admiration for how France clinched the title and analyzed the reasons behind their victory.
Now, with the title secured, the big question for rugby enthusiasts arises: could this French team potentially dominate the scene over the next few years? If their recent performance is any indication, France's rugby generation seems poised for greatness.
While rugby captured the spotlight on the pitch, the English media swiftly pivoted their focus post-match, placing the thrilling victory of Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix above rugby’s headline. This juxtaposition following the match created sparks of debate among fans, with many highlighting how swiftly sports narratives can shift within the media hierarchy.
The victory has solidified France's rugby reputation, presenting both the accomplishments of the team and the challenges faced. Looking forward to the next tournament and the future of international rugby, fans and analysts alike anticipate whether the current winning streak is the beginning of a new era for France on the rugby field.