This Sunday, at Roland-Garros, the coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié, and his captain, Antoine Dupont, held their first official press conference within the framework of the World Cup. Obviously, the controversy launched by France Insoumise deputies on the selection of Bastien Chalureau among the 33 Blues was, from the start, discussed.
“What do I want to say to politicians? Everything we’ve said for four years. Let us carry out this mission with heart and commitment. We want to federate and share with all French people. For four years, racism has no place in our team, it has no place in rugby. Integrity is a core value of our team and our sport. Bastien informed us of this case, he firmly and formally denies the facts. A procedure is in progress”, replied Fabien Galthié immediately.
Before being revived a second time on the subject. “He has been coming with us regularly for a year now. Before selecting a player, we try to get to know him better, to meet him, to share with him our way of life and of playing rugby. Then a third. “I can go back to saying the same thing if you want… You know, morale… The World Cup is not for wimps. You have to be tough.”
It was then the turn of Antoine Dupont to be questioned about the “case” which, as a reminder, dates back to the beginning of 2020 and conveniently emerges three years later … “We were not affected by that ( the controversy), assures the captain of the Blues. As Fabien said, we were already aware of this case which is still under investigation. With Bastien, things are going very well. Since he arrived with us, he has always had an exemplary attitude, both on and off the pitch. And, for us, that’s the main thing today. The most important thing is the field, the performance, and Bastien fulfills his role.
