Pierre Villepreux: “It's never easy to start again in a team composition after a World Cup because you already have to plan for the next one. And in terms of strategy you must already have a clear idea of what you want to do. What will be prioritized? Is this a team in the making? Or a team that combines a few young people with slightly older executives? That remains the difficulty, because it must be linked with the expected results. And when you put a team with a lot of young people, results are difficult to achieve. But Galthié did not really comment on this question. On this team, the only point that bothers me is why not leave Ramos at the back and Jalibert at the opening. The rest of the composition can be imagined. »
Pierre Berbizier : We need the experience of the executives to guide this XV of France which emerged disoriented from its summer tour. These changes represent a strange situation because we were not used to them. I think they are made with a logic of inserting new blood and mixing it with experience to prepare New Zealand. The match against Japan will give an indication to see if we should continue on this path against New Zealand or if we should take the old frameworks to return to a base that we know. »
An ideal opponent
Pierre Villepreux : “I also think that the opponent must be taken into account. The Japanese are not the first in the world. So we can allow ourselves to experiment against Japan and try to put together a typical team afterwards. Or at least the one that will be able to be the most efficient in the moment to beat the Blacks and the Argentinians. »
Pierre Berbizier : “The Japan match, where the risks are limited, is a good opportunity to see new faces and to think about what’s next. The French team is condemned to regain momentum after last season and what we saw in Argentina. Obviously Fabien Galthié is obliged to change things. Over these three matches, it is the opportunity to find the French team on the pitch and to get away from the stories off the pitch. This French team must return to the field to rekindle momentum: that is the main objective. »
What consequences?
Pierre Villepreux : “It’s always a problem of timing. How far do we go with the old and the young? I know that Galthié takes comfort in the fact that many young people have entered the 42. That they are used to training with the group and that they have some experience. On the other hand, he also says that we should change the game because there are new rules and innovations that are emerging and which mean that yesterday's game is no longer that of today. today. »
Pierre Berbizier : “There is also a risk that these changes will disrupt group life in the France team. But what we don't know is how Fabien Galthié explained this to the players concerned. What are the rules for these changes. We know what the sidelined players are worth and Japan is an opportunity to see what level those who replace them can reach. This is an opportunity to broaden the assessment before making certainties. »
Which game to adopt?
France
