Obviously, there is no question of talking about a crisis.
After fourteen victories in a row - an unprecedented record in its history - the XV of France finally fell in Dublin two weeks ago.
Facing Ireland, the world's leading nation.
A setback, 32 to 19, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
But that should be erased without delay.
Because a new defeat, this time at home, Sunday (4 p.m., France 2) against Scotland would have quickly sown doubt before going to challenge England at Twickenham on March 11, and to feed a concern which begins already emerging.
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Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
Six months before the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28), a few clouds invaded the blue sky.
Stricter instructions given to referees in the essential rucks - like every year of the World Cup, World Rugby works to promote the attack, therefore the spectacle... - defeat the French strategy.
Not keeping the ball to better recover it and hit against it is what has fueled the success of Fabien Galthié's Blues for almost two years.
The source thus dried up, it is necessary to adapt, to react.
With only a handful of matches (three more in this Six Nations Tournament, then four preparation meetings for the World Cup in August) to find the parade.
Better to start on Sunday against Scotland…
Small warning signs
Another reason for concern, some Blues currently seem to be physically tough (Grégory Alldritt, Paul Willemse, Yoram Moefana…).
The infernal cadences - Top 14, European Cup, French team - drew on the reservoir of energy.
We will have to be careful not to find them bloodless when the summer arrives, like an overstretched Antoine Dupont in the blue jersey.
“
Our priority is to build a brain, which goes from the front, with the hooker, to the back.
All these players contribute to the collective organization, to the collective strategy, to play fair
, ”replied, justified, Fabien Galthié.
However, by thus retaining his confidence in his frame, the coach doubles the risks.
Tired executives, but also "
finishers
” annoyed by never having their chance from the start and demoralized understudy not to feel the confidence of the staff.
Small warning signals that could become big alarm if the sacred union were to crack.
The three-quarter coach, Laurent Labit, recalled it recently: never, for three years, has a Blue publicly displayed his moods.
This does not mean that the steam does not accumulate and that one (or more) pressure cookers will not begin to whistle in the coming weeks.
Facing the press, the second row Romain Taofifenua admitted that the approach to this meeting against the Scots was not bathed in serenity.
“
The momentum was stopped by this defeat in Ireland.
That's why we're going to do everything to regain victory on Sunday.
“It will not be easy as the thistle regains its spice - and that's good, because to win without danger, we are reassured of little... The whimsical Finn Russell and his partners arrive at the Stade de France with inflated audacity by two inaugural and improved victories (at Twickenham against England then against Wales).
Read alsoFabien Galthié: “Our priority is to build a brain that goes from the hooker to the back”
Their recent good results have also brought them back into the top 5 in the world.
And the XV of France does not succeed too badly for them: two victories and two defeats since the appointment of Galthié.
The Scots are also the last to win at the Stade de France (23-27).
It was two years ago.
Imperative revenge for this hundredth confrontation between the two teams.
"
But it's also interesting to fall
," said Fabien Galthié.
To see how the men, the staff, the players, work together in defeat.
To see how we live it, share it, assume it, how we use it to continue to grow.
Now we have to get up.
Get back on the bike without delay to avoid showing up trembling at Twickenham in two weeks.