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"Rugby will come out even stronger," says Laurent Labit

2020-06-11T14:54:50.182Z


The coach of three-quarters of the XV of France is engaged in the last few months, between the tournament interrupted for the Blues, the confinem


Monday, at the training center of the French Federation in Marcoussis (Essonne), he will join coach Fabien Galthié and the entire staff of the XV of France for a three-day working meeting. A “physical” reunion, after long exchanges by interposed screens, from his house in Revel in Haute-Garonne. Laurent Labit, the trainer of three-quarters of the three colors has agreed to deliver himself for Le Parisien - Today in France on his last months within the framework of the Blues, since the renewal seen during the Six Nations Tournament and the '' brutal stop due to the Covid-19 pandemic when the Blues had won three games in four. Laurent Labit will also come back to the long weeks of confinement and the prospects for the XV of France now that the health crisis is fading.

Where did you spend your confinement?

LAURENT LABIT. At my place, at Revel. After the defeat in Scotland (note: 28-17 March 8) , when we learned that our last match of the France - Ireland tournament was postponed, we went home on Wednesday for a few days of rest. Containment was decided while I was there.

How did you experience it?

I will not complain. I stayed in my family home with my wife and daughters. I tinkered, I did everything I usually don't have time to do. When you're a coach, you always live at 200 an hour.

Did you continue to work?

Yes of course. We kept in touch with the staff and with the players we called regularly to find out how they were doing. We each worked on axes, refining the details. We shared our ideas in videoconferences in turn. Now we can't wait to share them with the players. Fabien Galthié's message was very clear from the start. He set us the goal of using this situation to progress. It's our job to adapt.

Have you been afraid for your health, for your sport?

No. I am naturally very optimistic. I am sure that what has happened will allow rugby to get up and come out even stronger. Many people have become aware of certain things. We will be more responsible and realize the luck we have. This will change the attitude of rugby players and actors. There will undoubtedly be less criticism around this sport and a common drive.

What did you think of the Tournoi des Bleus?

Before the competition, we already felt an expectation and a lot of kindness. Everyone wanted to see a XV of France who wins. The craze continued to grow and the peak was when we arrived at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. There were so many French supporters on the course. Nobody had ever seen that. There were to be 18,000 at the stadium. This is where we see the impact of the France team.

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You beat England, the World Cup finalist and Wales, the semi-finalist. Did you catch up on the best in your opinion?

You have to keep humility. We have changed the way our opponents look at us, but we still have to increase our density, especially mentally. We had 36 games until the 2023 World Cup in France. We played four. There is still a lot of room for improvement.

What are your main satisfactions?

We have players that many nations envy us for. French rugby needs icons. Kids need to identify themselves. Dupont, Ntamack, Jalibert, Serin, meet their expectations. They are young, they evolve in key positions and they are full of talent.

How do you see the rest?

World rugby (NDLR: the international federation) meets Monday to determine the calendars. We expect a lot from this fall. If all the matches are possible, as it seems to take the way, we want to beat the Irish at the Stade de France (Editor's note: end of October) to pass them in front of the world ranking (Editor's note: the Blues are fifth currently) then we have a fascinating tour against Georgia (Editor's note: November 7 in Saint-Etienne) , then Australia and South Africa (Editor's note: November 14 and 21 at Stade de France).

What do you think of the international retirement of pillar Jefferson Poirot at 27?

I accept and respect his decision. I really discovered it during the World Cup in Japan. He is an intelligent and honest person. The XV de France requires a huge investment in addition to the club. He wanted to spend more time with his family. It was probably too difficult for him.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2020-06-11

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