The coach abandoned his theory of the premium team and dismissed certain executives to launch young players against Japan. His new mantra: emulation.
After a chaotic season – between a Six Nations Tournament « poorly embarked, but well finished », and a tour in Argentina marked by legal excesses -, to mourn a World Cup at home ended in the quarter-finals, the time has come for the XV of France to plan again. « We are on the way to 2027 »repeated Fabien Galthié this Thursday, at a press conference. A new quest, which begins on Saturday (9:10 p.m., TF1) against Japan, with the objective of finally being crowned kings of the world in Australia in three years.
To achieve it, we thought that the coach would favor continuity, whose mantra, for four years, was to favor the same players in order to increase their experience capital. Surprise, therefore, to see the turn taken. No more (p)reference to so-called “premium” players. A few frames are taken down. Thus Gaël Fickou and his 90 selections, demoted to the substitutes' bench after 48 starts in a row (since 1is February 2019). Thus Charles Ollivon and Romain Taofifenua, off the scoresheet. So Jonathan Danty or Cameron Woki, not even in the group of 42.
“It’s not a breakup”
Fabien Galthié and his staff have changed course. Tevita Tatafu (22 years old, 0 selection), Emmanuel Meafou (26 years old, 2), Alexandre Roumat (27 years old, 4), Émilien Gailleton (21 years old, 3) and Léo Barré (22 years old, 4) will start at the start sending out the first test of the November tour. Including the substitutes, 7 of the 23 Blues against the Brave Blossoms did not participate in the World Cup a year ago. A third party renewal.
The coach took his time to try to explain the ins and outs of this unexpected choice. « This is the team that seems to us to be in the best shape at the moment. The notion of experience always matters, but there are especially young players who are pushing to join the 23. It creates emulation with the players with whom we have traveled for five seasons. » Where did the one go who justified renewing the same ones because « the French team is not “Koh-Lanta” » ? « I maintain it. But I also always said that we encouraged all the players to come and get this jersey… »
And to clarify the basis of his new philosophy. « This is not a break, but a natural evolution. There is no comfort zone in the French team. » A double trigger message. Encourage young people to seize their chance. Poke the elders so that they question themselves. « We want to keep our best players from the last five years. But, for this, they must be able to regenerate in order to continue to progress. And not stagnate, or even decline. Whatever their age, they can still capitalize on their potential and get back on the scoresheet soon. They are competitors, I am sure they will show us that they are still there. »
Decisions that are momentary or likely to last?
Because, Galthié assures him, the banished people did not take it badly and are redoubled their commitment to training. « We are talking about a French team on the path leading to the World Cup, not an individual project. The players are aligned with our decisions. » Decisions that are momentary or likely to last? « Be careful, we don't talk about them in the imperfect tense ! Not one of these players is on a path that would no longer lead to the French XV. They are still in the race, able to take back the jersey, insists the coach. There is a rotation, a healthy emulation, but we count on them. We need them, their experiences, to travel in our three-year vision. »
Can they hope to return next week, for the clash against New Zealand? The embarrassment is palpable. « In principle, you cannot close a door to someone. Everyone has to think they can play. Afterwards, there is still consistency in the sequence of matches. The one against the All Blacks will only be the second meeting of our season… » The frames will not immediately be put back on the blue wall.
