The “chasubles game”, as the co-coach of the French conquest, Karim Ghezal, has once again hit the mark: the composition of the French XV called to face Italy, Friday October 6 in Lyon (9 p.m. ), corresponds to that observed during the week during training in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). Unsurprisingly, coach Fabien Galthié chose, to replace his injured playing master Antoine Dupont, to start the usual replacement Maxime Lucu in the scrum. The young winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20 years old), once again lined up from the start, continues his scintillating trajectory.
In this “round of 16” which does not have the name – it is the final meeting of the group stage for the Blues – the losing team will be eliminated. And captain Charles Ollivon, who is recovering his stripes after handing over the armband to Antoine Dupont at the end of 2021, following an injury, expects to meet vindictive Transalpines. “The Italian team will not show the same face as against the All Blacks,” insisted the Basque third row, Wednesday October 4. We didn’t dwell too much on this match against the Blacks, because we know that they will show another level of commitment. We are sure that it will hit hard. »
At his side, Fabien Galthié confirmed. “It’s an injured Latin team, it’s the biggest difficulty we’re going to have to face,” warned the technician, expecting “a very difficult match.” And, as against Namibia, the French staff chose to bet on their typical team, one week before a potential high-flying quarter-final. Apart from Antoine Dupont, who is recovering from his maxillo-zygomatic fracture, and hooker Julien Marchand, whose return continues to be postponed, all the captains are lined up again, including Gregory Alldritt in the third row, who had been spared against the Namibians.
“A defeat against the Italians could eliminate us”
The Blues will return to the field after two weeks without a match, spent in the gentleness of Aix-en-Provence. Although they had several days of rest, to alternate with days of intense training, they were not on vacation in Provence. “If we have to divide the competition in two, there is a first part with the first three group matches and there, after this little truce, we will switch to a round of 16, insisted the third row François Cros during the week . A defeat against the Italians could eliminate us, so it allows us to raise the level of detail and prepare well to approach the end of this competition. »
Finally launched into the final phase of the World Cup, the one where the slightest defeat can send you home, the Blues do not hide their impatience. “We can’t wait to get back on the land,” said Maxime Lucu. However, they are careful not to move too quickly. “There will be no let-up, we know where we want to go and we will be (…) focused,” warned the co-trainer of the blue conquest, Karim Ghezal, during the week. We managed this period to put back a layer of physicality, we found speed records among many players. » Friday, the XV of France plays the first of four matches which, it hopes, will lead it to the world title, on October 28. Four steps to climb without tripping. “We are where we wanted to be,” concluded Fabien Galthié.
Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio – Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament – ??Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon (cap), Gregory Alldritt – Maxime Lucu (m), Matthieu Jalibert (o) – Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Jonathan Danty, Gaël Fickou, Damian Penaud – Thomas Ramos
