Six Blues triple the bet
With three tests in ten days, and only four days (!) Between the tricolor exploit of Tuesday and the "
final
" of the series this Saturday in Brisbane (noon French time), it was difficult to imagine that players could start the three tests. This will however be the case for six of them: captain Anthony Jelonch, hooker Gaëtan Barlot, scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud, center Arthur Vincent, winger Damian Penaud and rear (revelation of this tour) Melvyn Jaminet. “
For motivation, it was very easy
, details Raphaël Ibanez.
They all have great motivation and mental freshness in them. Physically, the performance unit established very precise data on energy expenditure and the state of fatigue at the end of the first two tests. It's reassuring. We have guarantees that they will be at an optimal level for this third test.
This was not the case for Jonathan Danty, too tired and therefore exempt from the third game.
Author of two heroic and furious performances in defense, the former captain of the U20 world champions, Arthur Vincent, who said he was "
washed out
" after the victory on Tuesday night, finally goes on. “
He has a very rapid recovery capacity,”
explains Galthié.
And he is one of the players who has scored a lot of points on this tour. He confirms exit after exit, context after context, that he is one of the best.
“Nice compliment… The coach also mentioned the case of Baptiste Couilloud, kept at the hinge. "
We like to give development time to players we trust, rather than changing them for a yes or a no.
Baptiste is in good shape and matters to us.
This is the opportunity for him to follow up, to gain experience and legitimacy.
He feels good, he has not finished the first two matches and he is recovering quickly.
"
Seven changes in the starting XV
Fabien Galthié also made seven changes compared to the victorious starting XV on Tuesday (26-28). In addition to the six players who tripled, Cameron Woki and Cyril Cazaux will start a second time in four days. Appear in the starting XV the pillars Enzo Forletta (replacing Tuesday) and Sipili Falatea (replacing during the 1st test, for a disappointing entry into play), Romain Taofifenua (starting with the 1st and replacing during the 2nd), Dylan Cretin (starting with the 2nd), tour entry and rest Tuesday). And three players who had not yet played a minute during this tour: Racing winger Teddy Thomas, LOU center Pierre-Louis Barassi and, the only novice holder of this last composition, Pau opener Antoine Hastoy .
Also read: “I know you will do it!
": The strong words of Galthié before the feat of the XV of France (video)
Four more changes were made on the bench.
Where Walcker, already a substitute during the 1st test, is back.
The Parisian Azagoh, he goes from holder to the bench.
If Bouthier (who covers the positions of opener and full back) and Iribaren take their places for the third time on the bench, if Demba Bamba remains there (which indicates that he is considered more as an impact-player than as a holder…), two novices make their appearances, the third-row from Montpellier Alexandre Bécognée and the center of the RCT Julien Hériteau.
Packages on injury
Some arguably would have had a third scoresheet if they hadn't been injured. Gabin Villière (sprained ankle), Jean-Baptiste Gros (calf), Killian Geraci (shoulder), Sekou Macalou (thigh) are thus forfeited. Just like Jonathan Danty, who has not recovered enough from his 160 minutes already spent in the field. Also disappear from the group, for no specified reason, Ibrahim Diallo, and Wilfried Hounkpatin. Finally Louis Carbonel, holder in the first two rounds, will not participate in the "
final
". Logical as the opener of Toulon was below expectations during his two tenure. Fabien Galthié made a point of evoking the case of Gabin Villière, victim of a big sprained ankle at the start of the 2nd test and remained on the lawn for 80 minutes. "
We prepare our players to fight.
Gabin is an example for us.
He was able to show courage, mental toughness ... I have no words when you see the extent of his injury and his match for 80 minutes.
He got up and delivered an incredible game…
”
They won't fight for a minute
One month in Australia and no first selection. It is the sad fate of ten of the 41 players embarked on this tour. Thus the Clermont hooker Étienne Fourcade, the second line of Castres Florent Vanverbergue (however injured at the iliac crest at the start of the tour and insufficiently recovered), the third line of the LOU Patrick Sobela (also injured), the scrum half of Pau Clovis le Bail, Stade Français opener Joris Segonds, Clermont center Tani Vili, full-backs Romain Buros (UBB) and Gervais Cordin (RCT). No first selection for these 9 novices. And no minute of play for the Clermont winger, already capped, Alivereti Raka. Rude. Just like for Baptiste Pesenti, replacing during the first test and missing since. Or Ibrahim Diallo, in sight Tuesday and not renewed.
“
We took the time to talk to these players who don't have the chance to wear the jersey. We spoke to them explaining to them that they must continue to carry this ambition until 2023. And that all they have been able to store in terms of experience, training, feelings, shared experiences is necessarily very precious in their career
”, tried to console Raphaël Ibanez. In the end, counting Hastoy, Bécognée and Hériteau who will honor their first selection on Saturday in Brisbane, thirteen players, novice parties in Australia, return capes (Forletta, Walcker, Barlot, Etrillard, Hounkpatin, Falatea, Azagoh, Diallo, Iribaren and Jaminet) .
