French Navy Excel at Twickenham

As Fortress Twickenham emptied yesterday evening two members of the French Navy Women’s team took to the field in their national colours as the French Women took on their English counterparts.

Though the match reports will all focus on England making it three form three in the 2013 Six Nations Twickenham yesterday hosted two internationals.  After the men’s game the French Women secured an impressive 30-20 victory against the home team who could not match the physical approach of the French.

France’s final try was scored by their fullback Carloine Ladagnous who showed the pace and balanced running that the Navy Women had encountered last season at Toulon.  There when playing at outside centre she had shown her obvious class as she again and again posed the Navy defence all sorts of problems.

On the touchline (and on crutches) at Toulon was the Marine Nationale’s number 8 Sandra Rabier who yesterday was moved to lock and was part of a very physical french pack that proved difficult for England to contain.

Despite the continued claims from across the channel that the french navy are rebuilding their women’s team following a very successful period it would seem that they will still have the ability to call on some first class players when they travel to Portsmouth (3 April) and seek to retain their trophy.

Before then followers of Navy Rugby will be able to see the Navy Women in action when they play their Trojans on 6 Mar at Portsmouth.  This will be the teams final match before they face the french.  Though in Toulon they lost the initiative very early on they will have been heartened that they caused a few problems of their own when the took the game to Marine Nationale (F) through some strong running from their forwards.  I think more of the same will be required this year.

Un accueil chaleureux vous attend pour nos amis de la France jusqu’a ce que l’arbitre commence Le Crunch et aussi le match pour Le Trophee Entente Cordial.