And suddenly, Fabien Galthié, the sometimes cold, picky and rational coach, split the armor.
It's a sign, he even took off his famous glasses.
After the broadcast of the latest video from the French Rugby Federation behind the scenes of the Six Nations Tournament, the web series “mixed destinies”, the coach of the Blues returned, in tears, in front of the press to debrief this historic Grand Slam.
“I had not seen these images, he almost apologizes.
We are so into it that we don't take the time to measure it all.
All that is the moments shared in Marcoussis (Essonne) during this last week, with the visits of Jean-Louis Aubert and Patrick Sébastien, the pre-match talks, the images of the victory against England (25- 13), and above all the explosions of joy at the final whistle, the emotions shared with the Stade de France on fire and the players with their families, and a glimpse of the final party with Damian Penaud pushed fully dressed into the jacuzzi…
The discourse of method
"Let's get back to something more rational", then breathed Galthié, putting on his glasses after this 18-minute video interlude to continue the detailed unfolding of his way of working for two years now.
By not forgetting to present its plethoric staff of 29 people (coaches, dieticians, physiotherapists, psychologists, etc.), and in particular analysts who are in great demand to exploit the smallest data on players and opponents.
“Nothing is left to chance,” explained Galthié.
From the size of the training grounds to the duration of the meetings, the meters traveled on the pitch to the number of “sacred” moments outside, everything is measured, calculated, anticipated… even the unpredictable if possible.
One of the paths to success according to him.
“We created our own model, we manage to predict almost everything…, explains Galthié.
The players know that it exists, it's the rugby of tomorrow.
Either we followed what the Anglo-Saxons started to do and we always stayed behind, or we cut across the fields to catch up with them by creating our own model, that's what we did.
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Match of the British Barbarians, tour of Japan… The program to come
This data rugby where everything is programmed does of course not exclude hazards, injuries or malforms in a group of players.
"The door is always open, but the players have to come and get this jersey, we won't offer them," warns Fabien Galthié.
At 18 months before the start of the World Cup, players outside the hard core of this Tournament will thus be able to be tried.
At the summer tour in Japan (two games in July) in particular, which will be done without the Top 14 finalists and the executive players who would like to rest, confirmed the coach.
A week before this departure on tour, Fabien Galthié announced that he would train the British Barbarians with part of his staff for a match on June 19 against England at Twickenham.
Requested, he obtained to do so on condition that he could integrate into this international selection (the South African Kolbe, the Scottish Russell, the Fijian Radradra or the All Black Laumape are announced) French players, some of whom could then go on tour, in order to begin the collective work.
“We will leave with younger and fresher players.
61 players came to Marcoussis for the Tournament, only 26 were capped.
Those who haven't played are ready to get on the bus, we may take them with us”.
"No reason to question the captaincy of Antoine Dupont", for the moment
The scrum-half and best player in the world is only supposed to be the interim captain of the Blues, after the injury of Charles Ollivon.
Will he keep this role?
“It's a subject, but should we talk about it now?
wondered Galthié.
It concerns our men.
Antoine had a very good Tournament, he is a great man.
Our 5 captains (including Marchand, Jelonch, Alldritt and Fickou) are also great.
And there is Charles, who resumed with Toulon, we hope he will return to form very quickly, he will eventually be with the Barbarians.
At present there is no reason to question Antoine's captaincy.
But it's a two-year story, it affects respect for men, we'll talk about it first among ourselves.
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His extension at the head of the Blues
Fabien Galthié has finally confirmed the announcement of the president of the FFR Bernard Laporte on his extension at the head of the Blues beyond the 2023 World Cup, until the next one in 2027. “I was in no hurry, I am very happy, very fulfilled in this mission, but I am very honored that he took care to announce it and share it.
I thank him for the confidence, he is a great president, who has the posture of a king.
“The coach hopes to continue to advance the Blues, with the 2023 World Cup as a goal.
“We were a sleeping giant, we have become a giant in world rugby again.
And we can become even better,” he said.