Small smiles that are exchanged between Romain Ntamack and Grégory Alldritt at a press conference, around fifteen people invited by the French Rugby Federation as a discreet public and a few passes that burst awkwardly on the soggy lawn of the Marcoussis main field.
The XV of France takes its ultimate inspiration before the last obstacle - and not just any - on its way to a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament unseen since 2010. And just to add the dramaturgy it takes, this one is called England at the Stade de France.
Back on the pitch!
#XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/2WwcXdNSRL
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 15, 2022
“It's a special match, recognizes the co-coach of the conquest of the Blues, Karim Ghezal.
We are where we wanted to be at the start of the Tournament, to play for the final victory without having to worry about the goal average as in 2020 and last year.
The players are fresh where we ended up a bit burnt out the last two years, and we have an almost complete squad.
»
Willemse saved on Tuesday
The only exceptions to the rule: Yoram Moefana, hit in the knee who will leave his place as wing starter to Damian Penaud, back after testing positive for Covid-19.
Author of a monstrous match Friday in Cardiff, the second row Paul Willemse was exempted from high intensity session Tuesday afternoon.
But the massive Montpellier player should hold its place against the XV de la Rose.
In the meantime, it is another returning Covidé, Romain Taofifenua, who wore the titular chasuble.
He will find his place on the bench against the English, who show up at the Stade de France with already two defeats in their teeth.
“It's almost worse for us, they're going to come with no ambition for a final victory.
In the opposite situation, we would be delighted to deprive them of a Grand Slam at home, ”underlines Grégory Alldritt.
“We approach this match with lightness and desire, announces its opener, Romain Ntamack.
It's a final for a first trophy.
We talk about the word Grand Slam without complex now.
We wanted to avoid talking about it to calmly prepare for the matches, but that's it, we can talk about it and think about it.
»
“The players have only one desire, it is to register their name at the bottom of a cup, abounds Ghezal.
They are obsessed with the desire to win something.
“His men will find the lawn for a new training on Wednesday, before the announcement of the starting XV on Thursday then a greening in a hotel near the Saint-Cloud racecourse, where the Blues have their habits in an establishment at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
For a last moment of tranquility, before plunging into the fury of a packed Stade de France.
The probable team against England:
Jaminet - Villière, Danty, Fickou, Penaud - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) - Cros, Alldritt, Jelonch - Woki, Willemse - Baille, Marchand, Atonio or Haouas .
