What do you remember from this victory that took a long time to take shape?
Raphaël Ibanez:
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It's a satisfying victory: with five tries, five points to start the Tournament.
You have to know how to savor the moment.
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To discover
Calendar and results 6 Nations
Do you feel like you got the wrong strategy in the first half?
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The first 20 minutes of the match simply illustrate the fact that the team hasn't played together for almost three months.
At the strategic level, I don't think so, no.
The players found a form of tempo necessary to get their hands on this meeting against brave Italians and regain the gain of the line of advantage, dominate the collisions, on a simple and direct game.
That's the satisfaction of this meeting: in a context with somewhat delicate conditions, the players remained serious, they showed themselves to be solid, involved.
They went from strength to strength in the second half.
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How was the contact with Fabien Galthié at a distance?
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Everything was set, everything was organized with Fabien before the meeting.
It went well, we were able to adapt to the situation.
We happened to communicate throughout the meeting, in particular on strategy adjustments or on coaching, which was important at the end of the meeting.
We adapted well for the good of the team.
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However, we will have to offer another copy next Saturday against Ireland…
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The level of Ireland is not a surprise.
Fabien Galthié has already made progress on the analytical work of the Irish game.
The challenge, for all of us, is to ensure that the six days separating us from this match are as complete as possible.
We know we need to take it up a notch.
We will do it.
Faced with the Irish, it is the common will that will count the most.
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Statements taken at a press conference