2023-12-01 15:09:43
It all starts in Dubai, and we promise, that’s not the title of a new reality TV show relocated to the Gulf. Simply the program of the French rugby sevens teams, women’s and men’s, who are launching their Olympic season in the emirate with the first stage of the world circuit, the World Sevens Series, Saturday and Sunday. The basic idea is clear, in view of the Paris Olympic Games at home where Bleus and Bleues are automatically qualified: to win one of the eight tournaments of the season around the world.
A classic objective in sport, but in this case, French rugby sevens is still stumbling over the final obstacles. Olympic vice-champions in Tokyo, the women have never won at this level of competition. The men have only won once, but it was in 2005, in the old Jean-Bouin stadium, another era. It’s not for lack of progress, however, with two groups fourth in the world rankings last season, a final for the Blue and six halves for the men. But without concluding.
“I don’t necessarily see a lack in our collective, we know that it will pass,” insists Anne-Cécile Ciofani, one of the silver tricolors at the 2021 Olympics. “We have to seek precision in key moments, to be able to to make the difference at the last second, says the men’s septist coach, Jérôme Daret. Each tournament will be a rehearsal with a view to winning the Grail in Paris. »
“The recent history of rugby sevens shows that at each Olympic Games, the team which then dominated the world has won (Fiji twice for men, Australia and New Zealand for women) , analyzes his counterpart in charge of women, David Courteix. So the objective for us is to win these Series to reach the position of favorites for the Olympic Games in France. We are on the right track, there are areas where we have caught up or even surpassed the reference nations. »
Dupont, an arrival that “makes noise and good”
The very big pieces of the circuit? New Zealand and Australia in the women’s race. The New Zealanders, the Argentinians and the Fijians among the men. Eight opportunities to finally win, with Dubai in December, then Cape Town in South Africa the following weekend. Before attacking 2024 with a highly publicized reinforcement among the men: Antoine Dupont, the captain of the XV of France, who officially announced in November his desire to join this Olympic preparation.
For now, the scrum half is supposed to make his debut during the fourth stage, scheduled in Vancouver from February 23 to 25. “It gives additional credibility to the discipline to see a player of such notoriety arrive. I hope that the seventh will shed light on Antoine’s performances,” underlines David Courteix. “I’m really curious to see what it can do,” continues Anne-Cécile Ciofani. His arrival causes noise and good. »
The person concerned, currently with his club Stade Toulouse, will join the group in January to begin his adaptation. “He will put himself in danger and get out of his comfort zone,” believes Jérôme Daret. He needs to feel as good as possible to achieve his maximum potential. We want to optimize the performance of this team with healthy competition. » With a view, finally, to getting this victory on the circuit and to succeed in the Games at home.
The Dubai tournament program
Group matches this Saturday, final phase Sunday.
French women’s team: France-Canada (6 a.m. French time); France-Spain (8:15 a.m.); France – United States (1:07 p.m.)
French men’s team: France – Great Britain (7:06 a.m.); France-Fiji (10:42 a.m.); France – United States (3:44 p.m.).
#Olympics #French #rugby #sevens #launches #Olympic #season #waiting #Antoine #Dupont