6 NATIONS 2023 – Two days before his team’s reunion with the Stade de France public, the coach of the XV of France returned to the reasons for continuity after the defeat of his team in Ireland.
You don’t change a losing team
Wishing since the beginning of his mandate to build a “collective experience” for his team according to criteria determined in advance (according to which a world champion team must have 50 selections and an average age of 28), Fabien Galthié has constituted since the beginning of his mandate (Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Willemse, Ollivon, Alldritt, Dupont, Ntamack and Fickou were already holders during his first match sheet for the Crunch 2020, of which Penaud should also have been part) “premium” to which he does not wish to derogate. A logic amplified obviously by the series of 14 victories obtained by the Blues, according to the old adage of “you do not change a winning team”.
Thus, even the clear defeat suffered in Ireland has not upset (for the moment) this hierarchy, the only change in the starting XV being linked to the suspension of Atonio. “For 4 years, in 33 team compositions, we have tried to have a coherence, a reading, a vision over 4 yearsexplained Galthié. Our French team won 80% of its matches, achieved a series of 14 victories. The players have proven that they are all capable of meeting any challenge. Defeat can be synonymous with sanctions and changes, but we judged after reflection that there was no reason to modify this composition with the exception of the suspension of Atonio. All the players selected deserve to wear the jersey because they came to get it, but the competition exists. The team has taken 2 years and about fifteen selections on average since we took office, which means that there has been emulation and a turnover of which Ethan Dumortier is the most recent example.
Haouas rather than Falatea
While Mohamed Haouas gave the impression of having fallen quite clearly in the hierarchy, doubled for the starting position by Uini Atonio then “tripled” by Sipili Falatea in the role of finisher, the Montpellier player is offered a golden opportunity to back in the race, since the coach made the choice not to promote Falatea in a starting role. Against all logic? “Momo was in the group of 28 since the start of the Tournament, he has already played a lot with us, especially at the start of our adventure. It seemed logical to us to restart him, he deserves to wear the shirt, like all his partners.”
Dupont still tipped to play 80 minutes?
While the state of fatigue of the captain of the XV of France could have worried at the end of the match in Ireland, Fabien Galthié justified his choice to keep him 80 minutes on the ground, suggesting that he would still face the same to Scotland if the need arose. “Antoine played four games with us this seasonif all goes well he will sept. Is it much for him who is our captain and considered by many to be one of the best players in the world? Putting the best on the field is a principle of selection for us. Ihen we took him off the field last season, it was because we thought our finisher could bring something extra. Of the two games we played This year, it was found that it was not necessary to replace it. We are talking about the France team. We are talking about the France team…”
Still six forwards among finishers
In the series of fourteen victories of the Blues, the bench with six forwards very often played a big role, allowing the tricolor pack to turn a lot and retain some energy. A choice notably dictated by the rhythm of the Top 14, where the almost unlimited number of rotations on the bench does not really prepare the forwards for the international rhythm. The problem? It is that if the bench in “6-2” proved formidable to allow the Blues to hold a score and a strategy for 80 minutes, the low amplitude it allows at the level of the three-quarter line offers a lot fewer coaching solutions when it comes to chasing the scoreboard, as the Blues have had bitter experience of in Ireland.
However, against Scotland, Galthié did not wish his sacrosanct “6-2”, explanations in support. “Players entering the field do not have to ask questions, we know how to prepare the team to be competitive. The team was ready to perform in Ireland, they will be ready against Scotland. Now, we know how to manage these days 3 and 4 which are very special. It’s true that we are used in the Top 14 to rotating very quickly, that does not exist at international level where the mission is to play 80 minutes. But our players are ready for that. Our strength is our collective, it is our mission. The finishers are there to provide us with strategic solutions and our bench is designed for that.”