The French team returns to the field this Saturday (9:10 p.m.), against Japan, after months of trouble for French rugby.
And little by little, everything returns to normal. Antoine Dupont once again sets foot on the Marcoussis lawn. The lucky players put on the starting blue bib, while the substitutes or those outside the group overcome the staff's choice as dignified as possible by wearing the white one.
In front of the media, Fabien Galthié justifies this or that choice in his team composition to face Japan this Saturday at the Stade de France. There is talk of the downgrades of Charles Ollivon and Gaël Fickou, the benching of the whimsical Matthieu Jalibert in favor of the metronome Thomas Ramos, the absence of the brilliant Baptiste Serin and Baptiste Couilloud… Enough to fuel endless debates among the 67 million French selectors.
Never has such a classic week been so enjoyable. A real relief among those involved in French rugby. For the first time in four months, there is no question of rape, excesses, or the disappearance of a 17-year-old. Be careful, that doesn't mean we don't forget. The trauma of the summer will be remembered forever. And we must use it to never experience that again.
May the party be beautiful
Now it's time to play. To talk rugby. To judge performance and nothing else. Facing Japan, a new era begins. Little by little, frames are erased. Uini Atonio (34 years old, 62 caps) and Romain Taofifenua (34 years old, 52 caps) are gradually giving way to the next generation (Tatafu, Colombe, Guillard, Meafou). Gaël Fickou (30 years old, 90 caps) could be part of this caste but something tells us that the Racingman still has to bring to this team.
A year after the disaster of elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup against South Africa (28-29), the wounds have been closed. The excuse of the physical and psychological stigmata of such a setback no longer holds. Now, the rage and disillusionment experienced must be transformed into motivation to seek the Grail in 2027, in Australia.
The glimpses of a revival were seen at the end of the last Six Nations Tournament, against Wales (24-45) and England (33-31). They were confirmed with a completely overhauled team in Argentina last July. More play, more initiative… The followers were able to appreciate it.
There, with the return of Dupont and a strong pack of forwards, we can only expect better, even better. What's more, they face a weak Japanese team, certainly coached by the wizard Eddie Jones, but swept aside by New Zealand (19-64) a fortnight ago and non-existent against the major nations.
So, let the players let go, reassure themselves and settle down before the confrontations against the Blacks on November 16 and Argentina on the 22nd. Let the party be great again.
