Antoine Dupont and the Blues, one year later

391 days ago, the dream flew away in a suddenly frozen Stade de France. A cruel, perhaps unfair, elimination by South Africa in the quarter-final of the World Cup. A small point of difference for immense desolation. Since then, the players of the XV of France have tried to mourn, to turn the page. To forget, far from the Stade de France, the cursed theater of October 15, 2023 then requisitioned for the Paris Olympics. And without Antoine Dupont, gone to realize another dream, at 7 and Olympic.

Without their captain, the Blues struggled. A 2024 Six Nations Tournament started badly (defeat in Marseille against Ireland, draw in Lille against Italy) before recovering (victory in Cardiff, then against England in Lyon) to finish an honorable second place. A cataclysmic tour in Argentina last July. Not on a sporting level – the France B team, deprived of its executives, gleaned a victory and conceded a defeat – but on that of ethics, of reputation. The racist insults posted on social networks by Melvyn Jaminet, the arrest of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou for alleged acts of aggravated rape in a meeting (still under investigation, their request for dismissal will be examined by the Mendoza court on November 25) have torn to shreds the values ​​constantly erected by Fabien Galthié and his team.

Also read
Rugby: finally reigning with the Blues, Antoine Dupont's last great challenge

The image of the French XV seriously deteriorated, that of the Federation further damaged by the disappearance at sea of ​​a young player during an under-16 summer competition in South Africa, French rugby is now squatting the news pages, far, far away, from the arm wrestling and flights that make us love this sport. Finally returning to the Stade de France, one year and twenty-five days later, it is an understatement to say that the Blues have a lot to be forgiven for. The broken global dream, the gaps and shortcomings, will have lastingly tarnished it…

Executives and young talents

To mend their ways, they first all ratified the charter imposed by the boss of French rugby, Florian Grill. Under penalty of sanctions, they are now « prohibited from consuming alcohol in certain circumstances ». No more beers in the locker rooms after matches. We no longer drink at the Marcoussis training center either. And we don't go out after the matches to party until late. The only evening allowed? « At the end of the competition in privatized locations which will benefit from appropriate security. » Another measure, among the thirty submitted for signature: « Restrict the reception of people from outside the official delegation or their families to the common areas of accommodation sites only. » No more one-night stands brought back to the hotel…

To seduce again, Fabien Galthié is counting heavily on the return of the child prodigy: Antoine Dupont. The magician, the sorcerer. The best player in the world, still crowned with his Olympic gold

A rigid, strict living environment, to try to prevent any further deviation. But, to restore – a little – their image, it will not be enough for the Blues to respect these monastic rules. On the ground, they will have to seduce. Winning, of course. And if possible with manner. To inflame the spirits again, chase away the clouds, no longer give blessed bread to all their slayers who are just waiting for that, mock the supposed virtues of the Ovalie.

To seduce again, Fabien Galthié is counting heavily on the return of the child prodigy: Antoine Dupont. The magician, the sorcerer. The best player in the world, still crowned with his Olympic gold. He's back. Finally. To show his teammates the path to redemption. An unexpected mix of executives and young talents. Because the coach has taken up his pilgrim's staff again. The 2023 meeting was missed. Time for 2027, in Australia.

Promises and expectations

The words are the same: finally lift this trophy which has been refused to the Blues since the first edition of the World Cup, in 1987. To achieve this, he sacrificed some essentials (Fickou, Ollivon…), promoted young people (the Tongan Tevita Tatafu, Émilien Gailleton, the Béarnais, the naturalized Australian, Emmanuel Meafou…), left aside, once again, Matthieu Jalibert, misunderstood genius.

Promises and expectations, an obligation of redemption and results, which will have to manifest themselves without delay. It starts this Saturday evening against the Japanese “Brave Blossoms”. It will continue, above all, the following two weekends against the legendary All Blacks then the dangerous Argentine Pumas. Three meetings at the Stade de France which must once again become the theater of blue dreams.

The XV of France : 15 Barré, 14. Penaud, 13. Gailleton, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey, 10. Ramos, 9. Dupont (cap), 8. Alldritt, 7. Roumat, 6. Cros, 5. Meafou, 4 . Flament, 3. Tatafu, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Gros. Substitutes : 16. Marchand, 17. Wardi, 18. Colombe, 19. Guillard, 20. Boudehent, 21. Lucu, 22. Jalibert, 23. Fickou.