Cédric Chasseur / Credits: Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP
modified to
8:28 a.m., February 8, 2024
This Thursday, Fabien Galthié must announce the composition of the Blues who will play the second match of the VI Nations Tournament against Scotland on Saturday. The objective will be to wash away the insult after the heavy opening defeat against Ireland and thus maintain the hopes of a final victory.
The fifteen of France have an interest in winning for their second VI Nations match, following their rout against Ireland last week. On Saturday, the Blues will face Scotland in Edinburgh and the composition of the Blues is expected this Thursday at 11:30 a.m. during the traditional press conference. One thing is certain, the French want to wash away the Irish insult.
Powerful video session
The Blues want to prove that this 38-14 failure against Ireland was just an accident. And so that this doesn’t happen again, the staff put together a rather impactful video session for them at the start of the week, a summary of everyone’s mistakes deciphered without language. “There were things said by the coaches, but necessarily truths,” confesses Thomas Ramos, the back of the French XV. “When a rugby player comes off the field, he knows whether he had a good match or not. When he watches his match again, he knows even more.”
The opportunity for the staff to point out what was wrong, but also for the players to speak frankly to each other. “We drew conclusions from this first match, in all the sectors which were failing,” assures third row François Cros. “We didn’t hide behind excuses, a red card or things like that. We made the choice to take responsibility and work together.” Either way, the Blues have no choice if they want to avoid a third defeat in a row. This has never happened to Fabien Galthié in more than four years at the head of the XV of France.