France have their old flair back but it’s Ireland with destiny in hand for their Six Nations championship decider on Saturday.
The Irish lead England and France by one point and a bonus-point win will seal a fourth Six Nations triumph in seven years.
For France to win the championship, they must beat Ireland at Stade de France and better what England does in Rome.
England meet Italy before the France-Ireland game, and can leapfrog Ireland with a heavy bonus-point win, if a bonus point eludes Ireland.
Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton says if they pull off this championship, it will surpass anything he’s done before.
“It would be the pinnacle of my career to be captain of a team to win a trophy, especially for Ireland,” the 2018 world player of the year says. “No matter what happens in the game before, we’ll still be going onto the pitch being able to win the trophy.”
That France has a chance is testimony to how coach Fabien Galthie has infused confidence into a young side with an average age of 25 and 16 Test caps.
The situation was untenable under former coach Jacques Brunel only 18 months ago following a run of 10 losses in 13 games.
Galthie’s rejuvenated side is full of improvisation, quick hands and perceptive passing, as displayed in last Saturday’s 38-21 warmup win against Wales.
“I couldn’t see any doubt in our eyes. It was quite reassuring to see everyone’s attitude,” says scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who stood out with two tries. “We knew what we needed to do, how to do it and we didn’t question ourselves.”
Ireland were also rampant, albeit against weaker opposition, dispatching Italy 50-17 in Dublin to complete the Six Nations fourth round.
But Ireland rarely flows in France and has scored four tries only once – and in a losing cause.
Two years ago, the match was anything but an advert for open rugby, as Sexton landed a last-gasp dropped goal from 44 metres after 41 phases to earn a 15-13 win.
France flyhalf Romain Ntamack believes whoever uses the high ball best will be decisive.
“We know they are used to that strategy. They have a very precise kicking game,” Ntamack says. “But we can also threaten in that domain. Our strategic kicking hurt the Welsh. Against Ireland we’ll have to win the territory to win the match.”
France still have discipline issues to sort out but Galthie doesn’t want that to mean less aggression.
“Our team conceded 16 penalties against the Welsh, but when I saw the other team at the end of the game I’d like to say that wasn’t so bad,” he said. “We have an aggressive team and it should stay this way.”