If they thought they could breathe between a tough match against Argentina and a shock at the top against New Zealand, the players of the XV of France may be disappointed. The Georgians have warned: they are not here to watch Dupont, Jalibert and other new French stars play, but to hurt them. "If you do not put aggression and pressure against France, you leave space for it," warned Lelos coach Levan Maisashvili, who announces wanting to be inspired by Argentina who "emphasized on the impacts ”, despite his defeat (29-20) last week at the Stade de France.
A last match during which the French, despite the victory, struggled to put their game in place.
And, if the Blues do not put in the necessary ingredients, the scenario may recur against the rough Georgians, whose power is well known on the lawns of the French Championship.
Fourteen players in the Georgian group are in fact playing in Top 14 or ProD2.
A renewed pack
Even if the temptation could be great to blow the executives in anticipation of the Blacks against Lelos who only evolve in the second European division, Fabien Galthié therefore preferred to field a big team.
The pair Jalibert-Ntamack in 10-12, lacking automation, is thus renewed in an unchanged three-quarter line, apart from the replacement of winger Gabin Villière by Toulouse Matthis Lebel.
In front, on the other hand, the pack has been renewed with 4 changes, to face the Georgian physical challenge. With in particular the return of Grégory Alldritt and a surprise, the passage in the second row of the usual flanker Cameron Woki. “There are always risks and dangers. But you have to go to the end of your intuitions, ”assured Fabien Galthié, who refused all week to mention the All Blacks. "We are focusing on Georgia, we will talk about it in due course," he eludes.
This match is however well figure of ultimate repetition before facing New Zealand, shaken by Ireland (29-20) on Saturday and necessarily revenge.
To prepare him as well as possible, the XV of France would be well inspired to dominate the Georgians (which he only played once, during the 2007 World Cup, for a 64-7 victory) in the fight and in melee, to make his presumed superior talent speak behind.
And so fill up with confidence before climbing the All Blacks mountain, next Saturday at the Stade de France.