They think about it, too.
And yet, dreams are not a subject taught within the walls of Marcoussis, their fortress, their entrenched camp in Essonne.
The speeches they hear tend to lock them in the very short term: the meal after, the training after, the game after.
No more.
Fabien Galthié and his plethora of staff are there to ensure it.
We do not go out of the box.
Everything is written on a board in the form of an arrow of time peppered with crossing points.
But the Blues are men.
Even young men and their minds wander beyond numbers, calculations, measurements.
They construct words that we thought had been forgotten: Grand Slam ...
11 games, 9 wins and so many hopes
"We have a favorable calendar for that, our victories make you want," slips Cyril Baille, the French pillar.
For a year, they have indeed been winning.
Nine times in eleven games under the Galthié era.
The Tournament started ten days ago with a walk in Italy (50-10), continued with a convincing success in Ireland on Sunday (15-13), the first in Dublin for ten years.
There remain Scotland, February 28 at the Stade de France, England, March 13 in London, and Wales, March 20 in Saint-Denis to win laurels they have not known since 2010…
Nothing insurmountable as the future opponents of the Blues do not offer all-terrain guarantees.
"They will win the Tournament, that's for sure," underlines the former international scrum half Guy Accoceberry, consultant for France Inter.
They have what it takes for that.
The Grand Slam means knowing no hitch.
There shouldn't be any problems against Scotland, although it's a playful side that can deprive them of the ball, nor against the Welsh.
It will probably be harder in front of the English at home, even if they are in decline.
"
No one else has Dupont
Last season, the XV of France had fallen only in Scotland (28-17), a slump that served as a warning.
“We are better than at that time,” says Galthié.
We are progressing.
Our goal is to win every time we take the field.
"With their concrete defense and their ability to make a single ball a feast, the Blues can see it coming.
"This Tournament is made for them because nobody is above the lot," assures former coach Pierre Villepreux.
No one has an Antoine Dupont in their ranks either.
"The difference is there," said Abdelatif Benazzi, ex-French captain.
It had been a long time since we had individuals of this level, Dupont of course, but also Alldritt, Ollivon who is a real captain or Fickou.
What impresses me is the homogeneity of this team, its creativity.
Everything is possible with it.
"
"They are aiming for the 2023 World Cup"
Until what point ?
“Make no mistake, what they are aiming for is the World Cup in 2023, adds Benazzi.
They have the potential.
Also for the Grand Slam this year.
Their only real obstacle will be England.
It is a selection in decline but it is able in a game to rise to a good level.
Facing the Blues, the English will have nothing to do with what they showed against Scotland (
Editor's note: 11-6 defeat
) or in front of Italy (
Editor's note: 41-18 victory
).
They will want to deprive the French of a Grand Slam, but that's good, that way, we will be outsiders, our best role.
"
Outsiders or favorites, the Blues will seek revenge at Twickenham where the XV de la Rose styled them on December 6 during the final of the Autumn Nations Cup (22-19 after extra time).
Revenge in the name of Grand Slam.