The coach of the XV of France revealed the axes of work before the trip to Murrayfield, this Saturday (3:15 p.m.), as part of the 3e day of the Six Nations Tournament.
Why did you choose to shift Moefana from the center to the wing rather than starting a real winger?
Fabien Galthié: First Yoram made a very good comeback with us against Ireland. And he has always been very successful with us (4 selections, editor’s note). He is also very good with his club UBB and performs very well in every training session with us, whether as a center or a winger. We then wanted to keep a homogeneous association in the center with Gaël Fickou, who leads our line defense, and Jonathan Danty. They start having landmarks together (they also played together under the Stade Français jersey, editor’s note). Finally, we made this decision because we wanted these profiles, very strong three-quarters, against a team from Scotland who will field very, very strong, very physical three-quarters, for a very directly around Finn Russel. There will be an issue of physical domination. And the ability to respond blow for blow to three-quarters that are both very fast and very powerful, like their two wingers who are walking on water at the moment, will be essential.
Read alsoXV of France: Danty back in the center, Moefana on the wing against Scotland
Two years ago, after the defeat at Murrayfield, you recognized that your players had been taken by the context, the atmosphere. How to avoid this again?
We remember it very well. This is the biggest defeat of our mandate: 11 points difference. We take a red card, a yellow card. We make a non-match, we are overthrown by this team from Scotland. We couldn’t find the keys that day. Since then, we have faced them again, for a success but also our only defeat conceded at home. This is a team that gives us problems. We are aware of everything that will have to be put in, in all sectors of the game. In a sublime context. The Murrayfield stadium is always extraordinary. We know the emotional value that all Scots place in their rugby team. We also know that 20,000 French supporters will make the trip and it’s no coincidence. We know the context. We have already experienced them. It was also an apprenticeship for us, the staff, and for the players. We learned a lot from this experience. And to learn is to understand, therefore to progress.
“We are looking for the optimal preparation and we are not far from it. »
Fabien Galthie
So your players won’t be overtaken by the atmosphere this time around?
In sport, anything is always possible. Including the same scenario happening again. It’s impossible to imagine a scenario in advance. This is why we are constantly working on several scenarios, including unforeseen ones. But we prepared physically, strategically, tactically, mentally. We are looking for the optimal preparation and we are not far from it.
Read alsoXV of France: “We must not fall into the pressure in Scotland”, warns Willemse
Against Ireland, your team was put in difficulty in the aerial game. Is this a sector that you particularly worked on during the week?
Each match, to win it, you have to tick a certain number of boxes. But not necessarily all the boxes. The management of the aerial game was a problem for us against Ireland. Before facing them, we were told about discipline. Ireland had been sanctioned little and us a lot during the first day of the Tournament. And the ratio has changed for our match. Each match is played to not much. Discipline, in the air, on the ground… Why wouldn’t we be the kings of the aerial game on Saturday? In any case, that is our objective. We have worked on this essential sector.
“We worked on an option with François Cros who can also be a very good first center. »
Fabien Galthie
You again place six forwards and two three-quarters on the bench, depriving you of a specialist winger replacement. Is it a risk?
To compose the match sheet, we first take into account the quality of the players: the best of the moment, those who seem to release the most certainties, on the ground. All in a very strong emulation. For three days, the 42 best French players contribute to the objective of excellence. This 6 + 2 formula allows us to prepare for the second half. We drop a bunch of almost brand new forwards into the midfield battle to bring extra soul and energy. After, in case, Gaël Fickou can slip on the wing, Romain Ntamack in the center, Thomas Ramos can enter at the back or at the opening. And we worked on an option with François Cros (the Toulouse third-line, editor’s note) who can also be a very good first center.
Facing the All Blacks or Ireland, the XV of France experienced a big air pocket at the start of the second half. Have you also tried to solve this difficulty?
(He hesitates for a long time) We are working on it yes. But is it an air pocket or a weak beat? We cannot tick all the boxes, I repeat. There are positives, negatives, it’s all part of a match. Opposite, we had an opponent who remained on 9 consecutive victories. At some point, the Irish had to put us in difficulty… These occasional failures allowed us to progress. We have seen that we could be more effective in terms of lucidity in certain areas of the game. How not to overuse ourselves in the rucks to keep more space, how to stay dense, keep our defensive rhythm, than the finishers who enter connect well with the players on the pitch since kick-off and who are therefore perhaps a little slower. To avoid having weak times that are too weak.
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