Toulouse. Attractive and efficient, Les Bleues delight the Walloon
Yesterday, Les Bleues largely beat Ireland (40-5). Despite the cold and competition from the TFC and the CO-Stade derby, more than 10,000 spectators were present to cheer them on.
They were precisely 11,657 to have braved this icy Saturday afternoon in order to come and encourage Annick Ayraud’s protégés. The cold, the wind and the few snowflakes that fell here and there did not discourage the people of Toulouse at all, on the contrary. While we should have seen a somewhat sparse Ernest-Wallon enclosure, nothing happened. Usual playground of Stade Toulousain, the spans were well stocked to witness the show of force of the French. 40 points scored, six tries scored, only one try conceded, in short, a perfect afternoon. A second, after that which took place at the Stade des Alpes, last week, in Grenoble, against Italy.
However, before the match, we could worry about the crowds. It must be said that the sports fans of the Pink City had a choice yesterday: between the TFC which played at the Stadium a crucial match for its accession to Ligue 1, without forgetting the derby between Castres and the Stade Toulousain in Top 14, the events collided at the stroke of 3 p.m.
“The French women’s team pleases”
But the Toulouse public did not shun Les Bleues and came en masse, to the great joy, but also the surprise, of the captain and player of Stade Toulousain, Gaëlle Hermet. “Playing an international match at home is a unique feeling. It’s true that it was a very busy weekend in terms of sporting events here. We really hoped to be able to fill Ernest-Wallon. I think that today is proof that the French women’s team appeals and that the supporters take pleasure and like to follow us, anywhere.”
In Toulouse, players from Stade Toulousain and Blagnac played at home. But for one of them, it’s even more true. Scrum half Laure Sansus, who lived a hundred meters from the stadium, was at home. And as in his garden, the number 9 of the Blue strolled and signed a recital. Whether in attack, where she signed a double, or in defense when she narrowly caught her opponent (33). A performance underlined by Annick Hayraud the coach of the Blue. “Laure does not surprise us. Today, we know that Laure is one of the best number 9s in the world, if not the best. She is one of the players who are decisive in a match.”
An observation shared by Gaëlle Hermet and who admits comparing her teammate to a certain Antoine Dupont, who also occupied the premises throughout the year. “Whether at the stadium or in the national team, Laure plays instinctively. She creates gaps and spaces where we don’t see any. She has that in her.” Wishing Sansus and Les Bleues the same success as the band of Antoine Dupont and to succeed in this famous Grand Slam.