Fabien Galthié's XV of France ended its tour with a success against Argentina. The Blues have had three successes this fall. And finished the year better than he started it. As a reminder, the Tricolores were soundly beaten by Ireland during the first day of the 6 Nations. A 38-17 setback on the Marseille pitch which gave the French a headache. Which then had all the difficulty in the world to win in Scotland (16-20) before conceding a draw 13 all against Italy in Lille. Coming very close to defeat. It was the post that saved Galthié's men.
A mixed 2024 Tournament for the French team
A meeting which had the merit of waking them up. It was Wales who paid the price for French intentions in Cardiff (45 to 24). Before a narrow 33-31 victory at the expense of England in Lyon. A mixed Tournament for the French team which still finished in second place with three successes on the clock. A few months later, the 15th of France, deprived of its premium players, flew to South America to challenge Argentina twice and Uruguay. In a difficult context, the Tricolores won two wins in three matches. Losing 35 to 23 in the second test against the Pumas.
The balance sheet is therefore positive for the Tricolores with only two setbacks in 2024. “At the end of 2024, we are still at 80% victories, which has never happened in French rugby“, commented Fabien Galthié via L'Equipe after the match won against the Argentines on Friday.
80% for the boss of the Blues, 70% for the others. Why you might be wondering? Well it depends on the number of meetings taken into account in the calculation. On the FFR website, the match againstUruguay, played during the week, is not on the schedule. And doesn't seem to count as a selection in the eyes of some. It may be a detail for you, but for Galthié, it means a lot. We know how much the technician loves data. And 80%, it's still more impressive than 70. But at the end of the day, we especially see that the French team has only lost twice in 2024. A satisfactory assessment and in line with the results since Galthié took office in 2020.
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2025, the year of all dangers for the Blues
Performances which will help Antoine Dupont and his teammates to work peacefully on solid foundations. Because 2025 will undoubtedly be a very challenging year. As a reminder, the Tricolores will travel three times during the Tournament. In England, Italy then Ireland. Three trips which will follow one another between the second and fourth day. It will be a physical as well as mental test against Nations who dream of beating the Blues. France has never lost three times in a row with Galthié at its head. The last time was in 2018 during the tour of New Zealand with five losses in a row.
All Blacks that France will find next summer with three shocks on the clock. A tour to the antipodes which promises to be very complicated for a French team once again deprived of its executives. Then, we will have to welcome South Africa from the start of the November tests. Fiji then Australia will finally appear in Saint-Denis.
If we do not yet know how many matches the French XV will win in 2025, we know that the Blues will have to show resilience and determination to get through this year full of obstacles. An ideal preparation to allow this team to win this world title which awaits them.
