Wilfried Devillers, edited by Loane Nader // photo credit: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP
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08:21, September 03, 2023
The players of the French rugby team will face the All Blacks in less than a week in the opening match of the World Cup. In the meantime, the XV of France has put down luggage in a hotel in Rueil-Malmaison, where it made its first walkabout this Saturday afternoon.
While waiting for their match against the All Blacks next Friday, the players of the XV of France settled in a hotel in Rueil-Malmaison, where they met their supporters during a walkabout this Saturday afternoon. The latter arrived to thunderous applause and cheers at the Parc de Bois Préau. Among the 5,000 people gathered was Clément, aged 12, who had stars in his eyes. “There were all my favorite players passing, Gaël Fickou, Antoine Dupont …”, marveled the boy.
“France will win, there is no doubt”
The 33 selected players were presented one by one to the public at the end of the afternoon. Antoine Dupont, the captain, was given a standing ovation, in particular by Olivier, a father with a Blues t-shirt on his shoulders. “We came especially for the boys, who are fans and who absolutely wanted to see the players. It’s nice to know that they’re not far away because we lived right next door. And in addition to telling ourselves that we can come and see them like today, it’s really a nice thing.” Olivier’s two sons are also playing next door, a rugby ball in their hands.
Nicolas, another fan who also came with his family, is only looking forward to the start of the France-New Zealand match on September 8. He also has his tickets to attend the first match of the World Cup. “France will win, there is no doubt. And then if they don’t win, it’s not the end of the world. It’s only the group stage, so we believe in it,” he says. he. “The team is so nice that anyway we want to support it and be part of the event.” See you next Friday at the Stade de France.