'Le Crunch' is always a special match. France v England in the Championship has a different flavour - a different smell, even. On 23 February 2013, I had only been an international for a year. I made my debut in the blue jersey and sang my first Marseillaise during the 2012 Six Nations against Scotland at Stirling's Bridgehaugh Stadium. We won 0-23.
At the time, I was playing for Montpellier RC, a club in the Top 10 (now known as Élite 1). Women's rugby was still far from being developed. There were no professional contracts. As well as rugby, I had to work. I'm a specialist educator.
This 2013 Six Nations match is special for me because it's a match of firsts. First of all, it's my first match at Twickenham, a legendary venue for international rugby. It's the kind of stadium I never imagined I'd play in, that I'd only seen on TV. So playing against the English in London was a dream come true.
Winning my first match against the Red Roses at Twickenham is an absolutely indescribable feeling. That day, the team, led by our captain Marie-Alice Yahé, put in a high-flying performance. We were unleashed and the blue machine was perfectly oiled. At half-time, we were leading 10-18.
In the 35th minute, I took a pass from Marie-Alice, found the gap and scored. It was my first international try! It was an unforgettable moment, which initially gave way to doubt. The match referee, Cammy Rudkin, had made a long call for the video. I was sure of myself.
After long, tense seconds, I was finally able to express my joy.
Another first came when, having shone collectively and individually by scoring my first try, I was shown a yellow card towards the end of the match. The Red Roses threw everything they had into the battle to try and come back from behind. It was a horrible feeling to have to leave your teammates so close to victory.
After the disappointment of the yellow card, the joy of my first victory against the English in an extraordinary stadium with my friends. The icing on the cake was that I was also voted Player of the Match for the first time on the international stage.
The following year, we won the Grand Slam by beating England 18-6 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. England were undoubtedly miffed at having lost to us twice in a row, but took their revenge by winning the World Cup in France.
This year, I'll be at the Stade Chaban-Delmas to cheer on the girls on the final day of the Championship, Super Saturday. I'm obviously hoping that this Crunch match will be a final, which would add some spice to the encounter. Along with our friends who won the Grand Slam in 2014, we'll be meeting at the stadium in Bordeaux to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the title. I hope the players put an end to England's hegemony in the competition and win another title after the last one in 2018! It would be a wonderful evening.
