Emmanuel Macron sunk a beer in France dressing room after being booed before New Zealand Rugby World Cup win
Emmanuel Macron reportedly sunk a beer in the France dressing room after New Zealand win
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Emmanuel Macron sunk a beer in the France dressing room after their Rugby World Cup win over New Zealand on Friday, it has been claimed.
The President of France was in attendance as his side beat the All Blacks 27-13 in their opening match of the competition, though he was booed before the match started.
And France defence coach Shaun Edwards, writing for the Daily Mail, has claimed Macron sunk a beer in front of the whole squad following their win.
"A few France footballers came in and it was great to see that unity," he said.
Shaun Edwards has spoken about Emmanuel Macron as France look to win the Rugby World Cup
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"I’d just come out of the shower and Kylian Mbappe was there. I gave him a fist bump and said ‘respect’ and he said it back!
"The president, Emmanuel Macron, was in there, too. He’s always got a few bodyguards with him but they’re pretty discreet.
"I spoke a little bit of French to him and said: ‘Chaque fois vous arrivez, nous gagnon’ — whenever he comes to watch, we win.
"He’s been three times and we’ve won them all. The lads gave him a beer and got him to down it in one while they all cheered him on. He was a good sport.
"I’ve really enjoyed the World Cup so far and it obviously helps when you’re winning.
"It takes two or three days to recover from those 9pm games because you lose a night’s sleep.
"You don’t get to bed until 3.30am so I’ve been tired but happy."
Edwards, as defence coach, also said he was happy with the way France performed.
But he's challenged the players to repeat that positive display when they lock horns with Uruguay on Thursday night (8pm).
"Thirteen points was the least we’ve conceded against New Zealand since the 2011 World Cup final, so I was happy with the defensive effort," he said.
"So many tries come from pick-and-gos or mauls in the 22 and we did a pretty good job of keeping them out.
"A five-metre lineout or scrum inevitably led to a penalty or try or even a yellow card.
"The All Blacks didn’t have a lineout or a scrum in our 22 for the whole game. That’s the plan: keep them out of the 22.
"Defensively, we’ve conceded fewer than 20 points in our last three games and that is a target. If we keep knocking those numbers out I’ll be happy.
"We’ve changed the team a lot for our match against Uruguay but we want the same level of performance."
And though Edwards is rooting for France, he also confessed he watched England's victory over Argentina the following day with the 2003 champions looking to go all the way themselves.
"We have buffet-style dinners and I brought my plate upstairs and watched the England match by myself," stated the 56-year-old.
"I really enjoyed watching George Ford bang over the drop goals.
"It’s really good that he’s finally got the recognition he deserves. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve seen.
"He could become an outstanding coach one day and I’d love to work with him.
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George Ford was impressive as England beat Argentina in their Rugby World Cup opener on Saturday night
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"To adapt so quickly after going down to 14-men and think, ‘You know what, it’s going to be difficult to get tries’, was genius.
"I was massively impressed with England’s defence and their change in strategy. Courtney Lawes was a rock.
"They totally dominated what has been a very good Argentina side. It was a real stake-in-the-ground performance.
"When it comes to the real stuff, England are always there or thereabouts."