First world nation, steamroller, favorites… LThere’s no shortage of superlatives when it comes to to classify the English, the next rivals of the French in Group C of this World Cup 2022. Faced with a nation undefeated in the last three years, the task promises to be tough for the XV of France, Saturday, October 15, at Whangarei (New Zealand).
because even if The Red Roses Star Emily Scarratt assured AFP that “it will be very difficult” against Thomas Darracq’s team, England are so impressive that it’s hard to see how Les Bleues could create the feat. But how to explain such domination?
Are the English unbeatable? #RWC2021 | #FRAvESP pic.twitter.com/tu5CJU6VfZ
— Rugby World Cup (@RugbyWorldCupFR) October 13, 2022
Because they were professionals before anyone else.
This supremacy over the discipline is anything but the result of chance, with England being the first nation to undertake the development of women’s rugby. As of 2017, thehe English Federation is ahead of the competition investing more than three million euros to start the professionalization of its national championship, increasing it to 10 teams with franchises from the women’s sections of the big men’s clubs.
“It is the best prepared team with the most depth that we have ever had”
Simon Middleton, manager of the English national teamat a press conference before the start of the World Cup
“England understood the stakes in women’s rugby before anyone else by promoting the Premier 15 as a men’s championship.”judge Laura Di Muzio, former French international become consultant.
In the continuity of this first pose, everything possible is done to promote the good work of the Red Roses. Since 2019, internationals have federal contracts that allow them to dedicate themselves solely to the practice of their sport, while the other players work in parallel.
Cause they’re on an awesome winning streak
The difference in method is, moreover, felt bothEnglish women have been running at top speed ever since their last loss in July 2019. On their way to 25 wins in a row, including two against world champions New Zealand at the end of 2021, Simon Middleton’s players blew up the inexperienced Fijians (84-19) last Saturday for their entry into this World Cup. Cup, thanks to an impressive run of 14 registered tries.
.@cf_macdonald was on fire
Which attempt was your favourite? @rugbyworldcup | #Dream Team | #Red roses pic.twitter.com/2TZYCg2VN2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 9, 2022
Before facing the Blues, the Red Roses therefore move forward with confidence. Especially since he has won the last ten duels against his favorite opponent. In April again, France logically lost 24-12 in the “final” of the Six Nations Tournament. But nothing of what “To fix”not even think of a “revengeaccording to Gaëlle Mignot, Thomas Darracq’s assistant in charge of the scrum.
On the Habs side, a success is estimated to be “possible”. “Certainly we didn’t win the last few games against them, but we are never far away.judged thewinger Émilie Boulard after the win against South Africa last week. Inevitably, there is a bit of annoyance because we want to get there, but our motivation to beat them is multiplied tenfold.. It is still necessary that the motivation is sufficient.
Because they demonstrate effectiveness thanks to a group that knows each other well
While Les Bleues advance in this World Cup without many certainties after a less than reassuring autumn tour, Simon Middleton has the opportunity to have a “mixture of executives and small youngsters injected on the fly” that is known by heart according to Laura Di Muzio. It must be said that as six of the current players -including the captain Sarah Hunter, who is due to equal the England record of 137 caps on Saturday. the coach was already with the Red Roses, as an assistant, when they won their second world title in 2014.
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Since taking over as head coach seven years ago, he has had time to establish a stripped back but devilishly effective style of play. “We built our game around our scrum-half and fly-half, summed up at a press conference. Lme The role of the former is very simple: quickly go to the rucks, quickly return the ball to the opener’s hands, go to the next player and repeat the operation.”. Result, the English excellent in the balls carried. Thomas Darracq has also estimated that “Between 70 and 80% of English tries are scored on penalties.”. Finally, the rear Helena Rowland often scores with a long and powerful footwork.
“The English are physically and technically one step above. As they have very athletic profiles, they win all duels. When you add to that a fluidity that is unmatched in the world between their forwards and their three-quarters, it hurts”.
Laura Di Muzio, former French international and consultanton franceinfo: sport
In short, England are a hellish machine that exploits any weakness in their opponent. It does not bode well for France, who again experienced a 50-minute air gap against a much weaker South Africa on paper. Now it remains to be seen if the Bleues will be able bridge this kind of gap for the duration of a meeting.
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