Bad times for the French full-back Melvyn Jaminet and the accusations of rape targeting Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou, during a trip to Argentina. The French will therefore be keen to restore their image on the pitch at the Stade de France, against Japan. A confrontation with multiple challenges, both for the players and for the viewers… of TF1! Because yes, surprise, after the last World Cup, it is once again on the front page that oval ball fans are meeting, the channel having obtained the TV rights for the 2024 and 2025 autumn tours, to the detriment of France 2 , until then historic broadcaster.
“It's a big responsibility” : Stefan Etcheverry (Good morning ! The TF1 morning show), new leading rugby commentator on TF1 with Thomas Lombard
“This tour [qui comportera deux autres rencontres pour les Bleus, face à la Nouvelle-Zélande et l’Argentine, ndlr.] is very important because it marks the return of the French team to business with the preparation of the next Six Nations tournament and the 2027 World Cup.rejoices Stefan Etcheverry. The 51-year-old journalist is also gaining ground since he will be, with Thomas Lombard, the new commentator for the French XV matches on TF1, replacing François Trillo and Benjamin Kayser. “It's a big responsibility” he tells us, delighted to find his former partner from Canal+. The duo will also speak during the post-match presented by Isabelle Ithurburu and Christian Califano from the edge of the pitch. “The general public loves the values of rugby but doesn't understand much about it. It's up to us to popularize and explain the game well“. A work that will be attentive to the public who, a year ago, had been very critical of TF1's comments during French team matches. For the chronicler of Bonjour !this is a bad trial: “We cannot reach unanimity” he recalls before adding: “I was affected by this bashing around certain colleagues which was not deserved“. Moreover, he chose to listen to the advice given to him on this subject: “I'm not going to jump on social media to read what will be said about me. We must protect ourselves“.
“It's a media phenomenon“: Stefan Etcheverry looks back on the figure of captain Antoine Dupont and the strong points of the French rugby team
On the field, the return of captain Antoine Dupont, crowned with an Olympic gold medal in rugby sevens, will be particularly scrutinized. “It is a media phenomenon, it must be treated as its status requires without obscuring the performances of others“, underlines Stefan Etcheverry, who reminds us that rugby is a team sport. “On this tour, there is competition at all positions : Romain Ntamack not selected [suite à sa blessure au mollet, ndlr.]we are waiting to see who will take the lead to drive the game. On the wings, players like Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey must confirm.” On the other hand, at the rear, no surprises. Coach Fabien Galthié will rely on a sure bet: the essential Thomas Ramos.
France
