“When we do the composition, we ask ourselves a lot of questions. But there is an important notion in our team: the value of trust and the value of men. We clearly hear what is being said, the reading that some have on the treatment of the performance of our players. Comments saying the team needs to be changed. But rugby is not the Star Academy. It’s not Koh-Lanta either. The French rugby team is not that, insists Fabien Galthié. The players are not there by chance. They came to get the jersey with their journey, their injuries, their strengths. Sometimes we have the right to be a little less strong individually. They are simply human beings. And nothing says change… In any case, we are convinced that massive turnovers don’t work, not with this team, not with its history. The rotations are made. Gently. For the rest, it’s meritocracy and the history of our group. Emulation makes the team grow.”

The technician believes that this choice will quickly benefit the team. “We are also convinced that going through the current experience will make us stronger. We are in a moment of transition but we strongly believe that the French team, through the basics, then strategy, tactics, will return to its best level. But the young players are there, they bring their stone to the building, their energy. And we need them. Being a finisher is very important. We have the impression that singing the Marseillaise with a jersey from 1 to 15 on your back has more value. Not for us! The finishers are the ones who make us win the matches.”

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