In Marcoussis
He’s the youngster from Fabien Galthié’s new staff. At 38, Laurent Sempéré joined the new version of the coach’s staff, replacing Karim Ghezal who took the opposite path by leaving the Blues for Stade Français Paris. Relaxed and comfortable in front of the media, the former assistant coach of the Parisian club has easily integrated into his new environment. “From a human point of view, it’s easy, the mayonnaise is losing between us, without forcing things,” he confided to Marcoussis, when preparing for the first match of the Tournament against the Ireland (Friday February 2). This group has a common experience and is used to living well together. I had heard about it from the outside and I can confirm it from the inside. The links are sincere, we understand better their results that they have had over the last four years.
The former hooker crowned under-21 world champion in 2006 – passed through Perpignan (2004-2006), Racing 92 (2006-2008) and mainly by Stade Français (2008-2019) – arrived within a France group which had to digest the terrible disillusionment of the last World Cup and this elimination in the quarter-finals against the Boks. “It’s a common experience of this group, certainly a scar. I was not there but I am convinced that it is an event which will allow us to be stronger in the future.” And added: “We must not try to forget it. Every day, we make references to this match. We must always seek to progress and do better.”
For him, this appointment to the French staff is also a change of life, a change of pace and work habits. “I quickly became operational and concrete,” he continues. I didn’t necessarily project myself so that saves me from comparing what I imagined to what I’m experiencing. The job is completely different, there is a little adaptation to make.” The Catalan recalls that “when you are in a club, you have 11 months to develop your team. There we are gathered for a maximum of two months. During these two months, we have to manage to send a message and above all align ourselves with the players. We have a tactical and strategic vision of the match but we must not neglect the human relationship. He continues with a smile: “It’s very different every day. For the last few weeks I have been training a computer! I spent a lot of time programming, thinking about how I could, in a very short time, get as many messages across as possible.”
His adaptation is facilitated by the presence of William Servat, with whom he now shares responsibility for the French conquest. “We don’t start from a blank sheet. I lean a lot on him and his experience. He is super important and it’s a chance to start this adventure with him,” says Laurent Sempéré, who also highlights the links he is establishing with the Englishman Shaun Edwards, in charge of defense, and Patrick Arlettaz, new head of the attack.
At the Stade Français, the work of Laurent Sempéré was recognized by all, since the Parisian club had the best results in touch (87% of balls recovered) and in scrums (88% of scrums won). The idea now is to be quickly operational with the Blues to challenge the XV du Trèfle, which has one of the best packs in the world, at the Vélodrome. “The idea was not to revolutionize everything but to progress in the sectors that we had identified,” he emphasizes. The machine is well oiled. The idea is to integrate a system that works. We have an interesting heritage with 80% victories, a certain number of records, even if there is the disappointment of the World Cup.
Also read: XV of France: “I am not the same person as four years ago”, confides the ghost Gabrillagues
From the outset, Laurent Sempéré had to deal with two major absences: those of Anthony Jelonch (ruptured right knee ligaments) and Emmanuel Meafou (knee). “I have been able to measure in recent days the importance that Anthony has in this group. I hear about him very often. At Emmanuel Meafou’s post, Paul Willemse arrives with revenge. He has performed very well in recent weeks. Despite these glitches at the start of the week, we all managed to quickly plan for Ireland.” Who has the status of title holder to defend (Grand Slam at stake) and the desire to redeem herself after, too, an elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup against the All Blacks. For a shock at the top to open this 2024 edition.
