Perfect timing for the France team. The Blues left on Sunday afternoon for Aix-en-Provence, leaving their base camp at Rueil as the sun slowly began to set. “We thought we would find pleasant conditions for training there at the end of September,” says attack coach Laurent Labit. But of course, we’re not going to just talk about the weather, as the third match against Namibia is coming up very quickly.
The return of the bosses
There are a few of them who will undoubtedly play their last match in the competition on Thursday against Uruguay. If we are to believe the teams made up during training on Sunday morning, the executives will be massively back in the starting XV in Marseille. “After Namibia there will be 15 days without a match. For those who played the opening match and who would not play this match, it would be a month without competition, notes Laurent Labit. Knowing that during training there are 33 of us and no longer 42 [et qu’il est donc impossible de faire des oppositions en condition match], we have to find our progress in competition. » So go for a “premium” XV, with probably Bielle-Biarrey in place of Villière on the wing and Jelonch who would move on to the third line to gain strength.
No worries
The very average performance against Uruguay is “evacuated”, promises Gaël Fickou. The Blues are well aware of what they did not do well in Lille, between inefficiency in the opposing 22 meters (six touches and two unproductive scrums, that’s a lot) and failing collective connection in defensive phases. “Yes, there are a lot of improvements to be made,” recognizes the experienced three-quarter center. There may be periods when we are less good, and then the other teams perhaps analyze us better too. It’s up to us to play with confidence. But I don’t worry, we’ll build up pressure. »
Thursday’s match and especially the one against Italy afterwards should allow the Blues to return to their standards. “We will have to be better at using the ball, because it is certain that we will not have as much ammunition against South Africa or Ireland,” Labit rightly observes.
An almost empty infirmary
The last one to hang around is Julien Marchand, affected during the first match against New Zealand. But not for very long a priori. “He did some exams again, everything is progressing very well,” reports Labit. He is in the hands of the medical and performance specialists, with the aim of coming back against Italy. If he can be there, he will be there. » Cyril Baille and Jonathan Danty, the two injured at the end of preparation, are able to start on Thursday. The La Rochelle center, who was already ready for Uruguay, is pawing with impatience. He should finally be able to let off some steam.
An eye on the competition
The Irish’s lumberjack match against Tonga on Saturday did not escape the Blues. Just like how South Africa marched on Scotland last week. “Of course, we look at the other big teams, and especially those who could be our opponents,” said Fickou. We know them well, Ireland and Scotland we play them every year, South Africa not so long ago. We follow them and observe to anticipate a potential quarter-final. » We can well imagine the TV evening that is coming up for the brutal clash scheduled for next weekend (Ireland-South Africa, for the two in the back who are not following).