The “thirteen or fourteen players” who will not go to Scotland for the first preparatory match for the XV of France “will work” in Marcoussis, assured the coach of the touch of the Blues Karim Ghezal, Tuesday, two days before the announcement of the list of 23 summoned.
“The only difference with usual is that we work at 42: we don’t have players returning home. We’re going to go a little more into club mode. Thirteen or fourteen players will stay at Marcoussis and will work on the physical, they will continue the development”, explained Ghezal. “Those who remain will work on the strategy, the opponents we will meet during the World Cup. It will look a little more like what they know in the club, “he added.
The Blues will face Scotland on Saturday in Edinburgh, for the first of four preparation matches for the World Cup, a priori without their executives Antoine Dupont, Gaël Fickou or Romain Ntamack.
According to the first training sessions of the week, coach Fabien Galthié should indeed opt for a hybrid team on Thursday, with players without selections, such as Bordeaux-Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey or Pau center Emilien Gailleton, supervised by others more experienced, like the opener of the UBB Matthieu Jalibert or the back of La Rochelle Brice Dulin.
The remaining players in Marcoussis “will work on the physical, the strategy. Some preparers will stay with them, they will work Friday and Saturday before meeting on Sunday. The rest of the group will go to Scotland and return normally. Usually, those who are not in the group go home. There, they will stay working, ”said Ghezal. “Those who are going to have the chance to wear the jersey will come to get it.”
