Guy Novès did not hide his disappointment after the complicated start of the French XV in the VI Nations Tournament. The day after the disappointing draw against Italy (13-13), the former coach analyzed the Blues’ bad run. Not without a dig at Fabien Galthié and the former leaders of French rugby.
The French XV struggles to convince during the VI Nations Tournament and remains in a disappointing draw against Italy (13-13) this Sunday. Obviously disappointed to see the Blues struggling so much against the Nazionale, Guy Novès pointed out the responsibility of the staff in this gap between the level of the team and the expectations of the French public.
“We lulled the whole of French rugby into illusions by the ambient discourse maintained by the players, the staff and the media. We had the impression that we were world champions before having played and that we were being took the candy out of his mouth”, noted Fabien Galthié’s predecessor during an interview granted Monday to the newspaper The Parisian. And to underline: “During my mandate, I did not have this tolerance which exists today in the French team.”
>> France-Italy (13-13)
Novès underlines the importance of the “bowls” taken by the Blues
In the absence of several executives like Antoine Dupont, fielded at the Vancouver tournament in rugby 7, or the injured Grégory Alldritt and Anthony Jelonch, the XV of France stammered in its rugby. Swept by Ireland (17-38) then painfully victorious over Scotland (16-20) at Murrayfield, the Blues disappointed even if Fabien Galthié had seemed satisfied with the success against the XV du Chardon.
Still a little bitter after his ouster by Bernard Laporte in December 2017, Guy Novès once again recalled that certain defeats or poor performances could serve as a trigger for a group in difficulty or prey to doubt.
“Taking a few bowls puts your feet back on the ground a little, but it weakens the entire staff,” the former coach of the French XV told the Parisian again. Before clarifying his remarks on the sidelines of the end of the VI Nations Tournament.
Novès highlights the need for humility
Like France, England and especially Wales are seeking certainty at the start of 2024 and therefore appear within reach of these convalescing Blues. As long as we correct what went wrong during the first days of the Tournament.
Beyond a physical sluggishness of certain executives or a lack of mental freshness after a frustrating 2023 World Cup, Guy Novès finally recalled the importance of not seeing yourself too handsome. “We must maintain this humility,” he notes. “And she may have been missed by this French team and those around her.”