Serge Blanco claims France have suffered ‘greatest injustices’ but believes there has been a ‘transfer of power’ from Ireland
France and Ireland players following their 2025 Six Nations clash, and legendary back Serge Blanco.
France legend Serge Blanco believes that recent weeks have shown that they continue to suffer from officiating “injustices” which is costing them.
Les Bleus believe that they have been hard done by during the 2025 Six Nations over certain decisions, starting with the bans handed out to Romain Ntamack and Garry Ringrose.
The French then saw Antoine Dupont suffer an ACL rupture after Tadhg Beirne fell on his leg, but it was not deemed to be a red card offence as the Ireland lock escaped sanction.
Both incidents have caused significant controversy, with Blanco’s main frustration coming with the Ntamack suspension.
The 25-year-old fly-half called it an “injustice” and it was a word the 66-year-old echoed after Ringrose missed fewer Six Nations matches than the playmaker despite receiving the same length of ban.
Why there is French frustration
That was due to the Irishman having a club game included in his punishment while Ntamack was not afforded the same luxury, leading to accusations of double standards towards Six Nations officials.
“We’ve been complaining for decades. We’ve experienced the greatest injustices, in our time too. The rule should be the same for everyone,” Blanco told RMC Sport.
“There should be less interpretation and more talk in terms of weeks of suspension than in matches, for example. If a player is suspended for three, four, or five weeks, there’s no longer a problem.
“I think we’re also going to have to start banging our fists on the table because, during these committees, it can’t always be to our disadvantage and cost us dearly.”
As for the Dupont injury, Blanco thought there was far less in that incident and that the citing commissioner was right to dismiss Fabien Galthie’s complaints.
“That’s rugby. Honestly, I don’t think it was intentional. Coming from the Irish, I don’t think so,” he said.
“Other nations, on the other hand, at a certain time, we could have doubted it. I’m thinking of matches against the English, but they are our best friends!”
Despite those grievances, France find themselves at the top of the Six Nations standings knowing that a win of any kind over Scotland will secure them the title due to their vastly superior points difference.
After they went to Dublin and dominated, eventually securing a 42-27 triumph, Blanco reckons that Les Bleus could be set to rule in the northern hemisphere over the next few seasons.
Changing of the guard
“It’s an exceptional generation. I have the impression that there has been a transfer of power in European rugby,” he said.
“The French team is becoming the best nation in Europe, the one that will dominate the continent in the coming years.”
One of the stars of the current team is wing Damian Penaud, a player that has moved level with Blanco on France’s all-time try-scoring list.
Penaud crossed the whitewash for the 38th time in the victory over Ireland and will surpass the great back three player if he scores against Scotland.
“He’s an interesting player because he’s interested in the game, he doesn’t stay stuck on his wing. He gets going, he creates, he explodes,” Blanco added.
“Today, that’s the best there is with Louis Bielle-Biarrey. I think that’s the kind of rugby we’re waiting for, in the long run, to experience something that we’ve never experienced.”
READ MORE: ‘I knew what I did’ – Andrew Porter’s blunt reaction to his involvement in Antoine Dupont injury
