You are with Philippe Sella (111), the only Frenchman with more than 100 selections. Is French rugby using up its talents more quickly?
It's a combination of factors. We actually have a championship which is the most contested in the world. The matches have to be done and I think that each player has a maximum practice volume. By being on the field, we increase the risk of injury, the decline in form and the possibilities of leaving the French team that this implies.
Players who break records are, with few exceptions, players who are in teams which are going through periods of domination like the All Blacks from 2010 to 2016, the Springboks today. The French team went through a difficult period where we did not have the formula. In the opposition relationship with the other nations, we had players who were less good and the team changed more often.
Does the project of supporting players who will be thirty in 2027 seem relevant to you?
Some people must be given a somewhat special status. Physically, it is certain that you recover less well with age. Playing fewer matches helps make careers last. Whether this project will be aligned with the imperatives of the clubs is another problem. It has been observed for years that we play too much in France to get the quintessence out of the players. You can't perform well for 10 and a half months a year. The injuries of Romain Ntamack raise questions. We can't say it's not a nugget. He is perhaps the first number 10 in France who could aim for 100 caps. This is a profile that should be protected. But I find that Antoine Dupont for example was rather well managed last year. As a result, he performed well in the moments that counted. This is certainly what Fabien Galthié wants.
The observation is made that we play too much in France to get the quintessence of the players.
Is collective experience an essential key to performance at the international level?
Let's say it doesn't spoil. It's not the alpha and omega but it is an important parameter.
By designating “Premium” players to be preserved, are we not killing emulation?
No. The players are not fooled. And then being on the “Premium” list is a motivation for those who are not on it. Emulation can be found everywhere.
These thirty-year-olds will experience declines where they will perhaps be challenged by public opinion. Should they be maintained in all circumstances?
Above all, we must ensure that these players perform well when we need them at club level as well as in the French team. It is clear that we cannot expect the same things from a 33-year-old as from a 25-year-old. That's why we have to take care of them. But it seems to me that club coaches are rather inclined to do it. Afterwards, in club as in the French team, it is enough to lose a few matches for the atmosphere to change and the status of the player to change too. There are the main principles and adaptation to circumstances.
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