Romain Taofifenua against Italy, February 5, opening the Six Nations Tournament. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP
The second line of the Blues appeared in front of the press, this Wednesday in Marcoussis, to discuss the match against Scotland, Sunday at the Stade de France, during the 3e day of the Six Nations Tournament.
What did you take away from the 32-19 defeat in Ireland?
Romain Taofifenua : We worked a lot on Monday in relation to this defeat. There is a lot to learn from this game. I hope we will come out bigger…
What are these main lessons?
Especially on the strategy and on the physical level. We saw the intensity of this match and we know what we are going to tend towards as we approach the World Cup…
There seems to have been some vagueness between the staff and the players on the strategy, between less dispossession and too much play…
There is no blur, but we missed each other a little. Our strength, in our 14 straight wins, was our kicking strategy. She failed us in Ireland. We made that clear.
To take fewer risks against Scotland?
No, I do not think so. But more alternation, yes.
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“Refereeing is a little tougher on rucks”
Another difficulty to solve: the battle of the rucks where you were more sanctioned and therefore less effective.
I don’t think we’re lost. We worked well after Italy where we had trouble adapting to the refereeing and took 18 penalties. It was much better against Ireland (8 penalties). We got back on track and we will continue this momentum.
Have the refereeing instructions changed in this sector of rucks?
The instructions have not necessarily changed but the refereeing is a little more severe I think. We did a lot of work on this point with Jérôme (Garcès, the former international referee who joined the tricolor staff). The solution was found in Ireland. We must continue on this path.
The defeat in Ireland ended your winning streak. Is it finally a relief to get rid of this pressure?
No way. We would have been very happy to do a Grand Slam again. There was no pressure about it. We didn’t necessarily think of it…
The dynamic is not interrupted by this defeat?
Yes, of course. The dynamic is not the same. We will do everything to regain victory this weekend.
“It feels good to find Marcoussis and our bearings”
Is it still possible to win this Tournament?
We are here to win all our matches, so the next three. We’ll figure it out at the end.
After an internship in Capbreton, then in Rome, you finally find your training center in Marcoussis. In what state of mind ?
It feels good ! It’s cool, we find our bearings. Even if it was nice the sun in Rome…
With, this Wednesday, training in front of an enthusiastic public…
It always feels good to find a full stand and to see that we are still supported as much. We can’t wait to get back to our stadium too. The fervor at the Stade de France is just enormous. It’s incredible the moments we were able to live there. The public is always behind us. That’s a big plus. Frankly, it helps us a lot in difficult times.
Scotland are the last team to win there two years ago. It’s always complicated against them for the France team. Do you know why ?
I don’t have an explanation. Scotland has been gaining momentum in recent years but I have no particular explanation…
Comments collected in Marcoussis at a press conference