improve the conquest, stabilize the touch… What the French XV must adjust for the last match against Argentina

A confirmation to end the year in style. After its authoritarian victory against Japan, then the thriller against New Zealand, the XV of France welcomes Argentina, Friday November 22 at the Stade de France, to try to end its autumn tour with a third victory in three matches.

Despite a squad reshuffled mainly due to injuries, “a third of the workforce” according to Fabien Galthié, the Blues have turned a lot of lights green over the past two weeks. But there are still a few details to be fine-tuned against the Pumas whom they have beaten five times in their last six clashes, but not the last one, last July, played in special conditions.

Improve conquest

The main challenge for the Blues will be to find a winning possession game in the offensive phases. A follower of the “dispossession” dear to Fabien Galthié, the XV of France suffered in conquest against New Zealand. “In first half, we had difficulty getting the ball, we still suffered quite a bit. We managed to turn the situation around with a heroic defense but we had difficulty taking things in hand and imposing our game.”notes Vincent Clerc, former international and consultant for France Télévisions.

With 370 meters gained (compared to 635 for the Blacks) and 12 defenders beaten (compared to 34 for the Blacks), the Blues had great difficulty progressing towards the New Zealand 22 meters without the licking kicks of Thomas Ramos and the speed of Louis Bielle-Biarrey. But this difficulty must also be qualified in view of the quality of the opponent, who will be a notch lower on Friday. “If we remove a little waste in conquest and we have a little more control with the ball, it will still be complicated to beat these French people”supports the former winger.

Breathing new life into the front line

Cyril Baille absent for a long time, Uini Atonio returning from injury but close to retirement: Fabien Galthié had, this year, to rebuild part of his first line around the versatile Peato Mauvaka. Jean-Baptiste Gros is filling in perfectly for Toulouse for the moment, but it's the other side of the line that raises more questions.

The young Tevita Tatafu (22 years old) came into his own but was injured, bringing Uini Atonio, 34 years old, back into the fray. “Tevita really understood what the international level was”underlined the coach this week. “Indeed there is a construction site on the pillars. Atonio, we know he is getting older. We need him, it's great that he makes the transition, that he plays as long as possible. But you need people behind him.”believes Vincent Clerc.

Against the All Blacks, Georges-Henri Colombe played 70 minutes, a rare duration for a pillar, and scored points, but the tank on the front line is not the same as for other positions in the France team. “CIt was a real satisfaction to see how it held up. The French team is only made up of opportunities: there are injuries, mishaps. The players must take advantage of this to win. This is what Colombe did in the last matches.” observe notre consultant.

Against Argentina, Fabien Galthié nevertheless chose to return to experience with a Gros-Mauvaka-Atonio trio, while praising the performance of the young Rochelais against the New Zealanders: “For Georges-Henri, it was the Himalayas. He is revealing himself in difficulty, in the position of right pillar, the toughest in rugby.”

Stabilize the key

This was the most visible black point against the All Blacks: the touch. With three lost throws (compared to one for New Zealand), the Blues were dominated in a sector that they normally control, just like the scrum. “On was countered a little in touch, the melee was a little hectic. Afterwards, we talk about nations which are the best nations in the world face to face.”nuance Vincent Clerc.

With so many rotations in the starting XV, it is logical that a lack of cohesion sometimes appears, and particularly on the sidelines, where coordination and experience are essential. “Alexandre Roumat has few selections, Pierre Boudehent is not always the starter, oWe had the return of Mickaël Guillard. So it's not abnormal that there was a bit of waste with players who don't have a lot of selections.”tempers our consultant.

A collective adjustment problem which should be quickly resolved against the Pumas on Friday, with in particular the returns of François Cros and especially Charles Ollivon, one of the privileged and sure targets of the French alignment. “There are only top players and coaches, so they will definitely work on it and continue to improve it.”reassures Vincent Clerc.

Identify a trend in the third line

If the hierarchy among the backs or in the second line seems stable, that of the third line seems more hesitant within the staff. Charles Ollivon, absent from the group against Japan, finds a starting position against Argentina. Grégory Alldritt takes the opposite path. François Cros, injured by concussion, is making his return.

“Maybe Grégory Alldritt needs to take a breather. François Cros brings a lot to the defensive sector. Alexandre Roumat really confirmed his performances at the last tournament. There are plenty of options and it allows both to create emulation in the group and to give some breathing room to some who have played a lot in recent years.”notes Vincent Clerc.

On Friday, the last position in the line will be occupied by Paul Boudehent, perhaps the big winner of this autumn tour with already three tries. “The offseason allowed him to take a step forward in his understanding and determination.”greeted coach Fabien Galthié before the match against New Zealand.

“It's complicated to take him out after the match he had. L“The advantage of having this pool of players is that we generally pursue a fit man's policy”concludes Vincent Clerc. An opinion shared by the coach who said on Wednesday: “My hope is that there will be very strong emulation. The stronger it is, the stronger the French team will be.” Last preview of the year Friday, against the Pumas.