This fall, the XV of France does not want to turn the page, but rather close the book to open a new one. Fabien Galthié's men return to the pitch and more specifically that of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) – which they have not set foot on since their defeat against South Africa during the 2023 World Cup –, during a three-match tour in the Dionysian enclosure. It begins Saturday, November 9, at 9:10 p.m., against Japan. Meetings against New Zealand and Argentina will follow.
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This time, Antoine Dupont will be there, coming out of an Olympic gap year, time to win gold with the French sevens rugby team. Captain during his last appearance with the XV of France, he immediately found his stripes. “For the players, the question did not arise. Especially since it is as good as before, or even better,” ensures the third row François Cros. When it comes to questioning the motivations of their leader, the rugby Blues have more certainties than their football cousins.
But the French team also has its share of problems in the world of Ovals. Like bouncing back after a nightmarish summer tour. In South America, the French staff had to take advantage of the good season to see new faces. Above all, he had to train very quickly in crisis management while reluctantly discovering how the Argentinian judicial system works. The third line Oscar Jégou and the second line Hugo Auradou were in fact detained in Mendoza then placed under house arrest following accusations of aggravated rape, before being authorized to return to France. Postponed three times, their dismissal hearing should be held on November 25.
A “charter” to restore order
Before this affair, the rooster's battered jersey had been tainted by Melvyn Jaminet, the Toulon full-back being guilty of racist remarks in a video published on social networks which earned him a thirty-four week suspension. A heavy context, which was present all week in the Blues' press conferences. And even the days before. At the end of October, the French Rugby Federation reacted by announcing the creation of a new framework for selection with strict rules, such as the ban on drinking alcohol in the locker room.
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