Fabien Galthié regularly refers to an "arrow of time" which should lead the XV of France in three years to the World Cup organized at home.
Despite seven months of stoppage, forced and forced, since the defeat of the Blues in Scotland (28-17) on March 8, the coach of the Blues has resumed the thread of his millimeter program which should lead him to his holy grail, a first world title.
On Saturday, the France team will, “after their eighth week of living together”, play against Wales “their fifth game” since the new staff took office.
As if nothing had happened?
Galthié insists on the "consistency and continuity" of his team, which will be exactly the same as that which had beaten England (24-17) in early February.
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“It's a growing team, the youth will acquire experience and maturity.
We trust them.
This is our project, our vision, our ambition, he insists.
The goal is to make room for young people, we want to prepare them as well as possible for major events.
We therefore rely on continuity. ”
Only notable changes, the returns to the wings of Montpellier Vincent Rattez, who had fractured the fibula in the second match of the Tournament against Italy, and Teddy Thomas, discarded against Scotland and lacking playing time and efficiency this season with Racing 92.
“Some French clubs have already experienced it behind closed doors in the European Cup, and we know what to expect. There will be no excuse ”
Gregory Alldritt
Back Monday in Marcoussis, the Blues had only one week to get back into working order, when the Welsh have been repeating their ranges for two weeks.
Not a problem according to Laurent Labit, the deputy in charge of the tricolor attack.
“The players took advantage of the confinement to regenerate and do a real preparation, he says.
Some clubs have been disturbed by the Covid but they have made good preparation.
We felt the players were in very, very good shape. "
Despite only one high-intensity training, Wednesday, to put in the tooth.
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But the staff is not overly worried.
“We are ready for this match which is very important for us in order to build our group, continues Fabien Galthié.
We are here to bring together all the supporters of the France team. "
Sizeable problem, there will be none at the Stade de France, closed door due to the health crisis.
“We are especially disappointed for all our supporters.
But we know that this season is special, insists the third center line of La Rochelle, Grégory Alldritt.
Some French clubs (Racing, Toulouse, Toulon, Editor's note) have already had the experience of being behind closed doors in the European Cup, and we know what to expect.
There will be no excuse. ”
“The Welsh are always difficult to maneuver. It will be anything but a game of babble. Each time, it's a big war ”
Cyril Baille
It is out of the question, too, to talk about a simple preparation match before facing Ireland in a week to finish the 2020 Tournament. "It's a real test match," recalls Galthié.
A confrontation between two revengeful teams.
The Blues must make forget their faux pas in Edinburgh this winter.
And the Welsh will want to recover after the defeat conceded in Cardiff (23-27) against the teammates of captain Charles Ollivon.
“Last February, a Welsh newspaper headlined 'Men against children' comparing the number of caps and the average age of the two teams.
We are growing and we are collectively acquiring a form of maturity. ”
Against the XV du Leek from the iconic second row Alun Wyn Jones - who will equal the world record of 148 selections held by All Blacks legend Richie McCaw - the French “children” will pass a new growth test.
Pillar Cyril Baille made the presentations: “The Welsh are always difficult to maneuver.
It will be anything but a game of babble.
Each time, it's a big war. ”
Resumption of hostilities.
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