The return, ahead of this autumn tour, of the 42-player working method, abandoned against his will by Galthié during the 6 Nations Tournament, is not unrelated to the three successes against Japan, the Blacks and Argentina.
It was last July, on the 16the floor of the Emperador Hotel in Buenos Aires. The coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié debriefs the tour of his players in Argentina, marked by what is now customary to call the Jegou-Auradou affair. A particular context in which the boss of the Blues tried to draw up a sporting assessment after a victorious tour according to his words. He then highlighted the emergence of many players during this South American escapade. “We have developing players who are entering into emulation”he asserted. Except that at that time, the agreement between the FFR and the LNR had forced the Blues staff to review their ambitions. At the end of the World Cup, tired of making efforts in vain, the clubs had reduced the number of players made available ahead of each meeting, the group going from 42 to 34. A heartbreak for Galthié.
When it was pointed out to him that these players would not necessarily be able to return to a group of 34 for the fall, the former scrum-half marked a long silence, heaving a deep sigh and leaving his gaze completely blank. Perhaps he was already hoping for a change of direction from the NRL. “We will work on that. We simply agree on the fact that it is much easier and more efficient to work with 42 people, for everyone. »
Buros, symbol of the 42 method
A few weeks later, about-face. The new agreement between the two institutions went back and once again granted Galthié the possibility of working with 42 players until the Wednesday evening of each match played on Saturday. Obviously, weaving the link between the three successes of the fall and this comfort of work seems inevitable. It doesn't explain everything, but still. “The 42-man method allows us to expand the potential of this team, to prepare players likely to join the teamexplained Galthié after the third success against Argentina. We saw it with Marko Gazotti. He spent a month with us, this evening he (SATURDAY)his first cap playing a half against Argentina. Romain Buros, who comes with us regularly to Marcoussis, but also to Australia (2021)then to Japan (2022) ; he comes in against the Blacks, he has a great match. This method creates emulation and quality in training. » And allows players to perform quickly. Without an adaptation period, with benchmarks and certainties. Undoubtedly one of the reasons which pushed Fabien Galthié to start Romain Buros against New Zealand for his first selection. And without any hesitation. It is even said that the coach, in the privacy of the staff, had more or less announced it before the match against Japan…
Last October, the FFR and the LNR sealed this working method in stone until the 2027 World Cup. Players, such as Temo Matiu or Louis Le Brun, seen this fall for the first time on the CNR side of Marcoussis will therefore perhaps return during the next 6 Nations Tournament. Without playing a single minute of the competition. Perhaps by increasing their carbon footprint by going back and forth between Essonne and their club. But, by immersing themselves in the game system, by working alongside Dupont and his gang, on the big day, they will no doubt be ready.
France
