After a checkered start, Fabien Galthié’s men want to bounce back against Scotland and send a clear message to the Stade de France.
By Adrian Mathieu
© PAUL ELLIS / AFP
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Dtwo weeks after the epic match against Ireland and a crushing defeat (19-32) which marked the end of a great series of invincibility, the Blues challenge this Sunday at 4 p.m. another big piece in this tournament of Six Nations with Scotland. After winning in England (29-23) and having largely dominated Wales (35-7), the XV du Chardon arrives at the Stade de France with full confidence.
For Fabien Galthié’s team, it will above all be an opportunity to move forward, after this setback and a delicate first match in Italy (24-29), marked by very sanctioned indiscipline. In essence, the staff still has in mind the idea of preparing as well as possible for this year’s big event: the World Cup organized in France.
Physically strained players
With many tired players and less prominent key individuals like Grégory Alldritt, Romain Ntamack and even the star of the Blues, Antoine Dupont, the XV of France is picking up the slack at the start of the Tournament. Not enough to sound the alarm according to Jean-Pierre Élissalde. For Point, who was a French international and coach of Aviron Bayonnais draws an initial assessment of the two matches of the Blues. “We are in a little hollow for this team and it is logical. They have had a wave of success and when you eat too much at noon, you have less appetite in the evening. It is sometimes necessary to digest the success, it is difficult to start again and the staff must find the means to restart the machine. »
With a busy infirmary and some important names like Cameron Woki and Gabin Villière on the sidelines, Fabien Galthié also had to adapt. For those who are able, some have nevertheless distinguished themselves and have seized their chance such as Thibaud Flament, the second line of the Toulouse Stadium and Ethan Dumortier, the best try scorer in the Top 14 with the LOU (Lyon Olympique Universitaire) . “With the latter, French rugby has once again unearthed a monster,” says Jean-Pierre Élissalde. He has this ability to resist tackles and impacts, in a different style to Damian Penaud, which is more fluid, but with his velocity he is impressive. »
“See how men function in defeat”
For his part, coach Fabien Galthié believed that this setback on the Dublin side could be beneficial for his team. “You have to find out how it will give us the keys to being better: it’s the physical, the technique and the strategy. We have fallen, we must get up. It’s interesting how men function in defeat. ” The staff of the Blues also performs very little turnover to keep their players on the alert: apart from Uini Atonio, suspended and replaced by Mohamed Haouas, it will be the same team against Scotland as the one who is tilted in Ireland.
The huge expectations, the increased pressure, the status of favorite: this had not happened to the Blues for many years. Not easy, according to Jean-Pierre Élissalde, to deal with this new label. “The status of favorite is very good for the mind but it can also represent a trap. But it’s no coincidence for the Blues, it’s the consequence of their very good results. It’s obviously rewarding for them because this team is ultra-competitive, but now everyone is waiting for them and, at the slightest poor performance, they are downgraded. This defeat in Ireland is perhaps a blessing in disguise in the experience of this team and its learning. »
READ ALSOParis 2024 Olympic Games ticket office: are the places really overpriced? Just over six months from the launch of the World Cup at home with France New Zealand in the opening match on September 8, 2023, Fabien Galthié’s men are more than ever in the heart of the matter. In search of its first world success, the XV of France knows that the road will still be very long and that the obstacles will be numerous. The test against Scotland will deliver new answers rich in lessons.