The French XV, known for its storied rugby legacy, once again registered its name on the Six Nations Tournament trophy this past Saturday, March 15, 2025, with a decisive 35-16 victory over Scotland. This success marks the team's first return to the championship after their Grand Slam three years earlier, showcasing their advancement not merely through the points but also through the gameplay itself.
Diving deep, this Six Nations was highlighted by France's astounding performance throughout its five matches, which resulted in them scoring 30 tries—a tournament record. The attacking prowess was led by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who tied the record for most tries scored (8) by any player during the tournament since 1925. His performance demonstrated not only his remarkable skills but also his determination to impact every match, scoring at least one try per game.
The blend of experience and youth was evident, with head coach Fabien Galthié employing 32 players over the course of the tournament. This diverse roster facilitated France's capability to maintain pressure on its opponents and continuously adapt to game circumstances. For example, Yoram Moefana showcased exceptional skill, being the only other player alongside Bielle-Biarrey to participate fully through all 400 minutes of play, asserting himself as pivotal to both offense and defense.
Despite the overarching success, the road wasn't without its rough patches. The team faced criticism for their fundamental shortcomings, particularly during their heartbreaking loss to England, which ended with a close score of 26-25. The French squad suffered from 27 handling errors during this match—indicative of their struggles with maintaining composure under pressure at Twickenham.
Galthié’s men demonstrated impressive defensive resilience throughout most of the tournament, having conceded only 93 points; the best defensive record of any team this year. Yet, even this achievement came with noticeable exceptions. There were still periods of vulnerability, particularly evident against England, and with 17 missed tackles against Scotland, the defensive coordinator Shaun Edwards must focus on tightening their defense before the next phase of competition.
Individual performances, like those of 24-year-old Moefana, highlighted the duality of pride and disappointment. Moefana was named man of the match against Scotland, wielding his talent effectively as he found the try line twice, finalizing his contributions with 54 tackles—an impressive 80% success rate across the tournament.
Further disappointments were noted, particularly surrounding the team's inconsistent handling and injury impacts. Antoine Dupont, the star scrum-half and linchpin of the squad, suffered a serious injury during the Ireland match. His absence was palpable, especially considering his ability to rack up important assists—seven decisive passes throughout the tournament. While Maxime Lucu filled some of this void, the synergy created by Dupont will be sorely missed moving forward.
Despite these challenges, Romain Ntamack’s return after prolonged injury absence provided the backbone the French needed. Celebrated for his excellent decision-making against Ireland and Scotland, he reaffirmed his status as one of the team’s pillars, culminating his comeback by celebrating his 40th appearance for the national side against Scotland.
Off the field, controversies surrounding refereeing decisions added stress to the French camp. Following the match against Ireland, where several key players left the pitch due to errant tackles, Galthié voiced his frustration over the judged inconsistencies, calling for more respect from World Rugby. This frustration echoed even louder within the Federation, which emphasized respect as fundamental for their aspirations as potential world champions come 2027.
The atmosphere around the tournament was compounded by these discussions. The balance between pride for their accomplishments and the frustration of what could have been left the French team’s morale complex, yet adaptable.
With the trophy firmly back within their grasp, after overcoming tough competition, and the lessons learned from their near-misses, the French XV is now poised to refine their gameplay. Looking forward, both players and supporters are eager to chase the elusive Grand Slam next year," said Ntamack confidently as the team commenced its victory celebrations.
French rugby, rich with history and potential, leaves this tournament not only with medals but with invaluable insights for their future endeavors, spurred on and encouraged by the expectations of achieving greatness once more.
