You were in charge of implementing the new living environment during the November tour. How did you approach this mission?
If I have to go back to the genesis of all this, and explain the current responsibilities, I would like to remind you that the press announced a year ago, almost to the day, that I was no longer manager of the Blues. Which is simply not true: since January 2020, I have always been with the team. Except in Argentina this summer (1). But the key moment of this mission is not there: we have to go back to the 2023 World Cup. The tour to Argentina only accelerated a global reflection on the desire to rethink our performance with a view to 2027 World Cup. This led to deep reflection among all those involved in French rugby during the States General. Then internally, at the FFR level, with the high performance commission. In this context, each manager of the French teams was responsible for participating in its implementation.
If you were still manager, Jean-Marc Lhermet and Fabien Galthié still explained at the time that your role would be more transversal and less in direct contact with the Blues…
I'm not sure these are the exact terms. What is certain is that I have always been with the team since 2020. Even if, obviously, I have had to take on more transversal missions with the other French teams. This is a desired development for the direction I intend to take.
How did you welcome this reassessment of your missions when you had extended until 2028?
With great serenity and a sense of duty. At the level of all the French teams, we can seek wealth from other teams which can then be distributed at the level of the French XV. It is a way of strengthening our identity.
“The 2023 World Cup allowed us to reassess everyone’s positions. I have no problem with Fabien! »
What may have fueled this perception is also that you are no longer present during the pre-match press conferences alongside Fabien Galthié whereas you had been systematically between 2020 and the World Cup…
Everything has been thought through at this level. Unless there is a major managerial situation, my presence is not necessary. In the same way, in the “coach box” (Editor's note: where the staff sit), it is the place of the technicians around Fabien: I am very comfortable with that.
You formed a sort of partnership with Fabien Galthié since 2020: were there no disagreements?
The 2023 World Cup allowed us to reassess everyone’s positions. I have no problem with Fabien! We have known each other for 30 years. We have the same mission: to make the XV of France shine.
You were not alongside the Blues in Argentina as you point out: would your presence have changed anything?
It is impossible to answer this question. What happened was a news item: it was regrettable. I just know no one wants to go through that again.
Considering the mode of operation that you had between 2020 and 2023, where group life was governed by a contract of trust, what do these excesses inspire in you?
I'm taking a big step back: don't count on me to take an accusatory look at the news stories in Mendoza. There are players who remained in prison, there are things which have damaged the image of the France team. But I repeat, these events have only accelerated our desire to rethink our performance: the entry point is our very painful elimination against South Africa during the 2023 World Cup.
The staff of the XV of France did not discover with this elimination that alcohol did not help with recovery…
Yes. But today, everything is happening faster. It's all about balance and common sense. I would also like to point out that these four weeks of living together ended with three matches won (Editor's note: against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina). For me, this tour is one of reunification and rehabilitation. This gives us very encouraging prospects in relation to this enhanced performance plan.
The charter is not limited to that, but the question of alcohol has been widely commented on. Concretely, how did you manage this?
We follow the principles of the charter. The decision to ban beer in locker rooms is primarily symbolic. Generally speaking, the question of alcohol is not central: we do not make it an obsession. Common sense and self-discipline were used. At international level, you have to take into account the intensity of matches and regeneration. But that doesn't stop us from respecting our own culture. Everything was negotiated with the players. We want at certain times: the freedom of players during “off” times, the participation of families during moments of regeneration or conviviality. In fact, there is a lot of freedom in the framework.
Did you not have any reminders to make during this tour?
No. There was no overflow. In any case, this question gives an authoritarian connotation which does not suit me. I come from the rugby culture of our South-West: I was raised at the Dax ferias. But if we want to “match” with the best with a view to 2027, we must realize that there is a time for everything. I would also like to reject this image of the rugby player as dangerous for society.
I have several examples in mind that I observed during operations. On the occasion of a gala dinner in favor of an endowment fund aimed at strengthening the practice of rugby in the neighborhoods, the players got directly involved. And when I see a Baptiste Serin, who that evening has just learned that he will be out of the group against Japan, giving little advice to a young woman suffering from breast cancer because she is stressed before taking the speaking in public, I tell myself that we are far from the image that we have given to rugby players for several months. I could also talk about Antoine Dupont who is nevertheless in over-demand. These players are gentlemen.
(1) At the end of the evening following the first test, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were indicted for rape with violence in a meeting for alleged acts dated July 7: the request for dismissal of the case was put into effect. deliberate.
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