After winning the Grand Chelem last year, the French rugby team begins, Sunday at 4 p.m., the 2023 edition of the continental tournament. With the World Cup, in September-October, in line of sight.
by Clément Martel
More than ever, the “arrow of time” dear to Fabien Galkié is closer to his target. As soon as it is taken care of the French male rugby team, at the end of 2019, the Lot coach checked in the red line in the calendar the date of Saturday October 28, 2023, the day of the final of the Cup of the of rugby, welcomed by France.
After having raised the XV of France sportingly, won last year the first title of the Blues for twelve years and found the heights of world rugby, the tricolor technician and his men begin an attractive year 2023.
Less than eight months of the World Cup – from September 8 to October 28 -, crucial maturity for these blues, it would be easy to present the 2023 nations tournament as a dress rehearsal, where the result would be less important than the way. “Even if they project themselves on the World Cup, the players know the importance of the tournament that arrives, evacuates the old third French line Imanol Harinordoquy. Besides, in view of fierce competition, the best way for them To appear in the list for the World Cup is to achieve the best performances during this tournament. “
Since he presides over the destiny of the XV of France, Fabien Galkié emphasized defense – by adding in particular the services of the English specialist Shaun Edwards. But out of the field, the old number 9 of the Blues cultivates an offensive temperament. And intends to instill it in his troops, which start the six nations on Sunday, February 5, in Rome (4 p.m.), a year after having made the Grand Slam.
“Do we defend a title or are we going to seek a title ?, Philosophed the tricolor coach, during the official launch of the tournament, at the end of January in London. This is a question Place between us. “Gathered for two weeks in Capbreton (Landes), the French squad has decided. Presenting the 2023 tournament as “a new challenge”, the second line Paul Willemse said this week that his partners and wanted to go “to look for another title rather than defending” that won in 2022.
thirteen Row victories
Another “challenge” for the Blues: extend their series of thirteen row victories. In the event of a new Grand Chelem, France would equal the record ficked by New Zealand (in 2016) and England (2017). A figure that has not escaped the keen of statistics of all kinds that is Fabien Galkié. “Thinking about this record moves me and makes me something,” admits the French coach, aware of being “on a beautiful series” and eager to “stay in the sublime and the wonderful”. But no question for him, as for his troops, to count the Bousses before the end of the fair. Especially since they will have to achieve what no European team has yet managed to do.
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