"Hey, look how fast Antoine Dupont is running!" The little childish voice bursts out from the stand of the Marcoussis land of honor when the scrum-half of the XV of France stretches out on the lawn. Under the eyes of several hundred of their supporters, the captain of the Blues and his troops compete for the ball between the blue chasubles of the probable members of the 23 and the whites of the failures of the week who act as sparring-partners. This Wednesday, we run, we slam, we overflow. "We need intensity at every moment in anticipation of what awaits us on Saturday," insists the French manager, Raphaël Ibañez. Because this weekend, make way for the All Blacks.
“We are all quite excited to prepare for this meeting, slips the second line Thibaud Flament, one of the group's novices on this tour. It's awesome. “Appointed as his friend in this post to go see the media three days before the shock, the robust Paul Willemse abounds. “We have improved a lot over the past three years,” he emphasizes. Against New Zealand, it's an opportunity for us to show what we can do, but also what needs to be improved. "
For the first time in a year and a half, spectators were able to enter Marcoussis and take their places in the stands.
A guest of honor had the right to attend the session even closer: the actor Jean Dujardin.
The interpreter of OSS 117 at the cinema, equipped with a coat in the colors of the France team, exchanged with Fabien Galthié and Raphaël Ibañez and followed the entire session.
Jean Dujardin attended the entire session of the Blues.
AFP / Anne-Christine Poujoulat AFP or licensors
The reason for his arrival, managed directly by the staff? Talk with the players this Wednesday evening. Monday, it is with Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte that the Blues were able to discuss. "Shit for Saturday", told them the head of state before leaving Marcoussis. “These are precious moments that allow us to reconnect with what is happening outside, it feels good to have external requests to disconnect after four weeks of internship, slips Thibaud Flament. I can't wait to chat with Jean Dujardin in the evening. "
Thursday noon, it will be time for the announcement of the team composition, with the very likely return of Romain Ntamack at the opening at kick-off.
For the young Toulouse opener, it will be the baptism of fire against the All Blacks and their haka.
“There are a lot of us who have never faced them, it's good to discover them now rather than in the opening match of the World Cup, said Paul Willemse.
It's important to measure yourself against them now.
And above all to compete.