2023-10-04 13:01:04
Couple David Reyrat
Published 17 minutes ago, Updated 17 minutes ago
Maxime Lucu in discussion with Fabien Galthié. PETER CZIBORRA / REUTERS
The coach of the XV of France revealed and commented on his team composition to face Italy on Friday in Lyon.
In Limonest
What tipped the scales between Anthony Jelonch and François Cros to start on the third row ?
Fabien Galthié: We can talk about arbitration. François was very, very good against New Zealand. He is always very good to us. Anthony is back after a long injury absence. He has just had two matches and needs to play a third. It is a vision for the future between the management of playing time, work on collective experience, consistency with finishers… Choices dictated by several indicators. But it is clear that François has never disappointed in the French team.
You have often mentioned a peak in form for the beginning of October. Here we are…
It is a vision calculated over 14 weeks, on the preparation since July 1st. We knew that the competition would become eliminatory since October. In terms of in-depth work, organization, matches played, the 8th since the beginning of August, we are where we wanted to be. Now, it’s the terrain that will give the answer whether we are in good shape or not.
Read alsoXV of France: Maxime Lucu, an understudy in the light
What can you say that the complementarity at the hinge between Funny Maxime and Matthieu Jalibert?
It is first of all technical. Max has never disappointed us. He has always performed well in the French team with his very altruistic profile. He plays a lot for the team, both in attack and defense. He is very courageous, he is a 9th forward when he has to fight. And his kicking game is exceptional. We can add the fact that Maxime and Matthieu play together in a club. It brings them closer. They have a closeness, common reflexes which facilitate their association, make the game more fluid. But what makes them occupy the hinge of the French team is first of all their level of rugby and their past performances with us .
“Italy an injured team. We therefore expect a big reaction”
Louis Bielle-Biarrey start again on the wing. Has he definitely gained the upper hand over Gabin Villière?
It’s right now. A coherent snapshot, linked to a very objective reading, as accurate as possible, of performance. But the state of fitness, psychological and physical varies. Emulation matters a lot, so the definitive word must be put in parentheses.
What do you expect from your opponent, Italy, beaten 96 to 17 by the All Blacks ?
They are Latins. We know them well, we face them every year. This is an injured team. We therefore expect a big reaction. And it’s a match where they have everything to gain. So it will be a very difficult match.
In the absence of Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon regains the captaincy…
Charles is a great captain. He was at the start of our mandate before he was seriously injured. He worked a lot alone, he had a difficult path. And he becomes captain again. It’s a wink but it represents our four years of work together, our desire to support our players whatever happens. We must pay tribute to him. He’s there. We have a group of players who sometimes go through difficult times but they are all there. We will have to count on them, on us.
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