We are entitled to think that he was zealous, his predecessors not having had this kind of dilemma.
Still, the DG of France 2023 imposed his decision.
“
The obvious would have liked the French team to prepare for Marcoussis.
But we wanted to get rid of all subjective considerations by putting the Blues in the same conditions of preparation as the 19 other teams,
justifies Claude Atcher.
I thank Fabien Galthié for having accepted this rule.
A handsome coach.
To discover
The 2023 World Cup schedule
“I find it very good. We are a mobile unit. To be successful, you have to be prepared for the unexpected, not to position yourself in comfort zones. We like to train elsewhere. Thus, before the last Tournament, where we had set up camp with the Legion in Carpiane. Whatever the environment, we always manage to find the right tempo to prepare ourselves. We have a form of agility. We willingly lend Marcoussis to another team, ”
laughs Galthié.
A team whose identity is not yet known but which should be Tonga...
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It was therefore necessary to find a fallback solution, a base camp for the competition which will stretch from September 8 until, we hope for Antoine Dupont and his partners, October 28, the day of the final.
It will be Rueil-Malmaison, as was made official this Thursday in the presence of the mayor (and president of the Métropole du Grand Paris) Patrick Ollier.
The base camp will be located more precisely at Pars des Bords-de-Seine, right next to the golf course.
“The preparation conditions are ideal, it was a priority choice for the France team”,
assured Claude Atcher.
Four rugby pitches, in this sports plain formerly owned by the Esso club, but also the Mimoun gymnasium, which has a swimming pool and a spa.
“We are very happy to prepare here,
confirms Fabien Galthié.
Changing the frame is very interesting.
And this one is enchanting and enchanting.”
To the point of risking a prognosis.
“And if it was the ideal place before the opening match against New Zealand which, in nine editions, has never lost a single group match…”
"Immense pride, a little naive, joyful"
Patrick Ollier does not hide his satisfaction either.
“It is an immense pride, a little naive, joyful, and a very great happiness to welcome the France team.
We will provide him with all the material means to train as well as possible.
A great advertisement, and a certain economic impact, for this city of 80,000 inhabitants where the Blues will also reside.
At the Renaissance Hotel, where Paris Saint-Germain footballers have been accustomed for several years.
In Rueil-Malmaison, the tricolor players will not seek to isolate themselves.
On the contrary, says Fabien Galthié.
“We want to be as close as possible to real life.
We live more in our corner, it's no longer the style.
For calm times, we prefer to walk in town, mix with society.
But also, sometimes, training in public.
“Gathering, federating and sharing is the meaning of our commitment.
We managed to raise a power and a force that we feel when we play, when we move.
They give confidence to our team.
So we'll make sure to open training, share it.
I'm not a fan of behind closed doors, I don't hide anything, not even team compositions.
We share everything, including with the media who are our echo.
The truth is, it's very practical.
Clubs, children, educators will be welcome.
With constraints to manage.
When we open our training sessions in Marcoussis, we are sold out.
We are victims of our own success but it suits us well…”
A short trip to Lille, a longer visit to Marseille and Lyon
However, the XV of France will not spend all its time in Rueil-Malmaison.
From June 25, the date of the gathering for the long preparation course, to October 28 (if all goes well), it's been four months.
With stops in Marcoussis, in Guyana for a commando course with the Foreign Legion, a passage in the South-East also, most probably towards Aix-en-Provence.
The Blues will be in Rueil for four to five weeks, the time of the group stage.
After ?
“We are starting from zero on the designation of base camps,
recalls Claude Atcher.
Rueil-Malmaison will be one of the eight choices, but according to a draw…”
During this period, the Blues will also travel.
A short trip to Lille, a longer visit to Marseille and Lyon, three cities where they will play their matches.
"We like to move two days before kick-off
," concludes Fabien Galthié.