It was under a bright sun that the French fifteen experienced their first day in Buenos Aires this Thursday. It began with a weight training session at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias, located about fifteen minutes from their hotel. Divided into two red coaches, Baptiste Serin and the others arrived around 10:30 a.m. We were all so tired from the trip that we all slept wellLyon fly-half Léo Berdeu (26 years old, 0 selection) told us. Today (Thursday), we are happy to get up in a new country and discover this new atmosphere, it allowed us to sweat and the group to get some fresh air with lots of light. »
For about an hour, the 42 players selected by Fabien Galthié were able to partially recover from jetlag and the long journey of about thirteen hours. Then came a light clarity session (rehearsing the launches while walking) on the San Isidro Club pitch, where the French will work almost daily between now and the first test match scheduled for July 6 in Mendoza. The second will take place in Buenos Aires on the 13th and they will also face Uruguay on July 10 in Montevideo.
Suit, shirt, tie off the field
Off the field, this first day was also marked by a reception at the French embassy, a few hundred meters from his place of residence. At around 5 p.m., the French delegation arrived in evening dress. Impeccable suit, shirt and even tie. The Lyon players (Léo Berdeu, Baptiste Couilloud and Mickaël Guillard) found the former LOU backline coach, Kendrick Lynn, now on the Pumas staff.
Then quickly, Romain Briatte, invited to sing by William Servat, co-coach of the forwards, took to the stage to celebrate his hazing. And he set the mood. Not really impressed, the third row of Stade Français, oldest of the neophytes at 31 years old, took over from Christophe Maé, before a more anticipated speech from the French ambassador.
A few meters away, Fabien Galthié spoke with former international Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, also assistant coach of the Argentine selection. A few minutes later, the French quietly returned to their hotel. On Friday, they will be on the field from 11:30 a.m. local time (4:30 p.m. French time) for another training session. More intense this time.
